Vinyl pressings
by Nils Lofgren · 1983
Wonderland 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.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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 3451 SS4 ◈-P-◈ I STERLINGRunout A
MCA 3452 SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈ IIIRunout B
MCA3451Label A
MCA3452Label B
MCA 3451 SS2 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
MCA 3452 SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
MCA 3451 SS 2 ⧈-G-⧈ 2 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
MCA 3452 SS 1 ⧈-G-⧈ 2 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
MCF 3182 A1Side A Runout (Etched)
MCF 3182 B2Side B Runout (Etched)
MCA 3451 SS1 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Runout Side A
MCA 3452 SS1 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Runout Side B
205664 A-1/83 S IIIRunout side A, variant 1
205661 B-1/83 S IIIRunout side B, variant 1
205661 A-1/83 S IIIRunout side A, variant 2
205661 B-1/83 S IIIRunout side B, 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 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-5421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | MCA Records 205 661First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Backstreet Records MCA 4195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Backstreet Records MCA 4195LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6314 / Backstreet Records VIM-6314First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIM-6314First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Backstreet Records BSR-5421 / MCA Records MCA 5421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Backstreet Records BSR-5421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3182 / MCA Records BSR-5421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Backstreet Records MCL 1851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5421 / MCA Records BSR-5421First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-5421 / MCA Records BSR-5421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 250 457-1 / Backstreet Records BSR 5421LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records 250 457-1 / Backstreet Records 250 457-1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
14 vinyl pressings of Wonderland are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR-5421.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR-5421, MCF 3182, MCL 1851, 205 661) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 3451 SS4 ◈-P-◈ I STERLING and MCA 3452 SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈ III. 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.
