Vinyl pressings
by Spinners · 1981
Medley 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.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 14 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.
ST-A-39420 MOLabel A
ST-A-39421 MOLabel B
3798 ST-A-39420-3 △107294 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. MRDeadwax A
3798 ST-A-39421-3 △107294-X ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. MRDeadwax B
ST-A-39420-SPLabel side A
ST-A-39421-SPLabel side B
ST-DM-39620-4 B-15538-① ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout both sides
ST-DM-39620 ARLabel both sides
ST-DM-39620-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.A
ST-DM-39620-2 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.B
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 | Atlantic 45 3789First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | Atlantic ATL 11564 / Atlantic ATL 11.564First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic AT 3798First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic Recording Corporation AT 3798 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | El Salvador | Atlantic CA-10191First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | France | Atlantic 115 64First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11564 / Atlantic ATL 11 564 ⓃFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 20 251First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Bioplastic | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Bioplastic |
| 1981 | Ireland | Atlantic K 11564First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Atlantic 3798First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-1521AFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-1521AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 20.251 / Atlantic ATL 20251First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 11564 / Atlantic ATL 11.564First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45 3798First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Medley are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Atlantic 3798, released February 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3798, DMD 264, K 11564 (T), K 11564) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-39420 MO and ST-A-39421 MO. 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.
