Vinyl pressings
by Poco · 1981
Blue And Gray was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 13 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 2638 ML3 + + Δ693 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout Etched
TML-M SLM Allied[Logo]Side A Runout Stamped
MCA 2639 ML2 + + Δ693-X ◈-P-◈Side B Runout Etched
SLM TML-SSide B Runout Stamped
MCA 2638 ML2 + + Δ693Side A Runout Etched
SLM TML-SSide A Runout Stamped
MCA 26389 ML3 (2639) + + G Δ693-XSide B Runout Etched
TML-M SLMSide B Runout Stamped
MCA 2638-A3 FH 10/7Side A Runout Etched
MCA-2637-B3 FH 8/7Side B Runout Etched
MCA 2638 ML3 TML-M MCA-5227-A ꔰ ꔰ + △ 693 WRunout etched / stamped A side, variant 1
MCA 2639 ML3 TML-M MCA-5227-B (2639) ꔰ ꔰ S-M + △ 693 XRunout etched / stamped B side, variant 1
MCA5227-A MCA2638 ML3 TML-M ꔰ ꔰ SLM + △693 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-Runout etched / stamped A side, variant 2
MCA-5227-B MCA2638 9 ML3TML-M (2639) ꔰ ꔰ SLM + △693-XRunout etched / stamped B side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | MCA Records 203.673First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 203 673First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 673First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4140First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4140LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6267First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6267First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 673 / MCA Records MCA-5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-5227First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA-5227 / MCA Records MCA 5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4545 / MCA Records MCA 5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records I-203673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-5227LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Blue And Gray are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5227.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5227, 203.673, 203 673, MCA 4140) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 2638 ML3 + + Δ693 ◈-P-◈ and TML-M SLM Allied[Logo]. 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.
