Vinyl pressings
by Robert Alda · 1950
Guys & Dolls was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1950, the album's first year. 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.
MG1970T38A-side runout, stamped [var. 1]
MG1971T31B-side runout, stamped [var. 1]
VIA-side runout, etched [var. 1]
XXXVIIVB-side runout, etched [var. 1]
45W 80220 A 3B-Side Runout
45W 80231 A 3M-Side Runout
(45-80220)B-Side Label
(45-80221)✩M-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | US | Decca DA-825First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1950 | US | Decca 9-203First year7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1950 | US | Decca DL 8036First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Canada | Decca DL 8036LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1955 | Canada | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Canada | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1956 | New Zealand | Festival Records FG 12-806 / Festival Records FGL12-806LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Australia | Festival Records FGL12-806 / Decca DL 8036LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Decca DL 9023LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | Decca DL 79023LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Decca DL 79023LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Decca DL 79023LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | Decca DL 79023LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Coral CPS 15LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | New Zealand | MCA Records COPS 1257LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-2034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-7173LP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2034LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37094LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1628LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Festival Records FL-7130LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Universal Record Club UP-52512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Mono · Mono | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Popular Records E-196LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Decca DL 79023LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records COPS 1257LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Brunswick LAT 8022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1659LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 3201LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Coral CPS 15LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Coral CP 15LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LAT 8022LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LAT 8022LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LAT 8022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1659 / MCA Records MCA 37094LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LAT 8022LP, Album | LP, Album |
50 vinyl pressings of Guys & Dolls are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1950 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US. One of them is Decca DL 8036, released December 3, 1950.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DL 8036, DA-825, 9-203) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MG1970T38 and MG1971T31. 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.
