Vinyl pressings
by Stephen Bishop · 1980
Red Cab To Manhattan was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BSK-1-3473-WW3#2Side 1 (hand etched) Variant 1
BSK-2-3473-WW2#2Side 2 (hand etched) variant 1
BSK-1-3473-WW3#3Side 1 (hand etched) Variant 2
BSK-2-3473-WW2#Side 2 (hand etched) variant 2
BSK-1-3473-M2 MR MASTERDISK RL Δ24862 (8)Side A runout, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
BSK-2-3473-M2 MR MASTERDISK RL Δ24862X (2)Side B runout, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
MASTERDISK RLBoth sides ("MASTERDISK" machine etched, "RL" hand etched)
BSK-1-3473-LW1 • 2(sideways) ✲ ✲Side 1 hand etched, exc • 2 ✲ stamped
BSK-2-3473-LW2 • 3(sideways) ✲ ✲Side 2 hand etched, exc • 3 ✲ stamped
BSK-1-3473-LW3 • 1(sideways) ✲ ✲Side 1 variant, hand etched, exc • 3 ✲ stamped
BSK-1-3473-JW2 #4 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side A (etched) ["MASTERDISK 0" stamped]
BSK-2-3473-JW2 #4 MASTERDISK RL 0Runout Side B (etched) ["MASTERDISK 0" 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.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records 83541First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56853 / Warner Bros. Records (BSK 3473)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 853First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10915WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10915WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473 / WEA Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K56853First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Unknown | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
15 vinyl pressings of Red Cab To Manhattan are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3473.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3473, K56853, 83541, XBS 3473) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3473-WW3#2 and BSK-2-3473-WW2#2. 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.
