Vinyl pressings
by Ry Cooder · 1982
The Border 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.
14 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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 2885-AM2 ▣-G-▣Side A runout
MCA 2886-AM1 ▣-G-▣Side B runout
MCA 2885-AM2 ▣-G-▣Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 2886-AM2 ▣-G-▣Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 2885-AM3 ◈-P-◈ (1)Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 2886-AM3 ◈-P-◈ 1Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 2885-AM3 ◈-P-◈ 11Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 2886-AM3 ◈-P-◈ 1Side B runout, variant 2
MCF 3133 - A1 POUNDA TA1PE A 9Side A runout
MCF 3133 - B1 ASide B runout
MCF 3133 A*Side A label
MCF 3133 B*Side B label
Å MX205495 MCA-6105-1Side A, runout
Å MX205496 MCA-6105-2Side B, runout
MCA 2885-AM2 MCA-6105-ASide A runout (etched)
MCA 2885-AMI MCA-6105-BSide B runout (etched)
回-G-回Both Sides (stamped)
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.
14 vinyl pressings of The Border are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR 6105.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR 6105, MCA 4154, MCF 3133, BSR-6105) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 2885-AM2 ▣-G-▣ and MCA 2886-AM1 ▣-G-▣. 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.
