Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1982
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
MCA 3240-AM4A-side runout etching (variant 1)
MCA 3241-AM6B-side runout etching (variant 1)
MCA 3240-AM3 回-G-回A-side runout etching (variant 2)
MCA 3241-AM2 回-G-回 6B-side runout etching (variant 2)
MCA 3240A-side label
MCA 3241B-side label
MCA 3240-AM4 ◈-P-◈ II-II
MCA 3241-AM6 ◈-P-◈ IIII II
MCA. 70000-A2 B 2Runout side A
MCA. 70000-B1 B 11Runout side B
MCFP 3160AC side matrix
MCFP 3160BD side matrix
MCA 3240-AM3 - MCA-70000-A ⧈-G-⧈Side One runout
MCA 3241-AM2 - MCA-70000-B ⧈-G-⧈Side Two runout
MCA 3240Side One label
MCA 3241Side Two label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo |
| 1982 | South Korea | High Stereo Light 633 / High Stereo Light MCA 70000LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1982 | Switzerland | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set | LP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCA 70000 / MCA Records MCA-70000First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCA 70000 / MCA Records MCA-70000First yearLP, Album, LP, Album, Picture Disc, Box Set · Picture disc | LP, Album, LP, Album, Picture Disc, Box Set · Picture disc |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set | LP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set | LP, Album, Special Edition, Box Set |
| 1982 | USA & Canada | MCA Records MCA 70000First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Turkey | Teleskop LP-CA12LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 70000.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 70000, VIM-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 3240-AM4 and MCA 3241-AM6. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
