Vinyl pressings
by Michael Sembello · 1983
Bossa Nova Hotel was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 21 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.
I-23290-A-SH2 Q B - 18495 - SH2 SLM ▲ 5180 I-I-SMIRunout area side A
I-23290-B-SH2 Q B - 18496 - SH2 SLM ▲ 5180 - X I-I-SMI-6Runout area side B
92 3920-1/1Label side A
92 3920-1/2Label side B
R/S Alsdorf 923920-1 A I-I 2 SLm ^5303 I-23920-A-INTL.-SET I W GSide 1 runout etched
R/S Alsdorf 923920-1 B W.G. I-23920-B-INTL.-SET I SLm ^5303-XSide 2 runout etched
1-23920-A-SH3 #2 ℗ -SH3 -------◄ SLM SLM △ 5180 1-3Side A runout various 1
1-23920-B-SH3 #2 Q -SH3 -------◄ SLM △ 5180-X 1-3Side B runout various 1
1-23920-A-SH1 [Allied] B-18495-SH1 SJM △ 5180 1-1Side A runout variant 2
1-23920 - B--SH1 [Allied] B-18495-SH1 SJM △ 5180-X 1-1Side B runout variant 2
1-23920-A-SH2 Q B-18496- SH2 SLM △5180 1-4 0-1 SMI-2Runout side A, variant 1
1-23920-B-SH2 Q B-18496- SH2 △5180-X 1-4 0-1 SMI-1Runout side B, variant 1
1-23920-A-SH2 Q B-18495 - SH2 SLM △5180 ̶1̶-̶1̶ ̶ 0-1 SMI-2Runout side A, variant 2
1-23920-B-SH2 Q B-18496 - SH2 SLM △5180-X ̶1̶-̶1̶ ̶ 0-1 SMI-1Runout side B, variant 2
1-23920-A-SH3 #1 ℗ B-18495-SH3 SLM SLM △ 5180 1-1 0Runout Side A
1-23920-B-SH3 #1 Q B-18496- SH3 SLM △5180-X 1-1 0Runout Side A
1-23920-A-SH3#2 ℗ B̷-̷1̷8̷4̷9̷5̷ -SH3 · ─◁ SLM SLM △ 5180 1-3Side A Etched, Variant 1
1-23920-B-SH3#2 Q B̷-̷1̷8̷4̷9̷6̷ -SH3 · ─◁ SLM △5180-X 1-3Side B Etched, Variant 1
1-23920-A-SH3#2 ℗ B̶-̶1̶8̶4̶9̶5̶--5H3 • -----◁SLM SLM△ 5180 1-3Side A Etched, Variant 2
1-23920-B-SH3#2 Q B̶-̶1̶8̶4̶9̶6̶- 5H3 -----◁SLM △ 5180-X 1-3Side B Etched, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records SLIN 3444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 23920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.114/7599239201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 39201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 39201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 923920-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 3920-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92-3920-1First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
34 vinyl pressings of Bossa Nova Hotel are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Italy, US, Portugal, Japan and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 92 3920-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 92 3920-1, 92-3920-1, 9 23920-1, 1-23920) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I-23290-A-SH2 Q B - 18495 - SH2 SLM ▲ 5180 I-I-SMI and I-23290-B-SH2 Q B - 18496 - SH2 SLM ▲ 5180 - X I-I-SMI-6. 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.
