Vinyl pressings
by The Afternoon Delights · 1981
General Hospi-tale 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.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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-2681-SS-2 ◈-P-◈ STERLINGRunout, side A, etched, ◈-P-◈ STERLING stamped
MCA-2682-SS-2◈-P-◈ STERLINGRunout, side B, etched, ◈-P-◈ STERLING stamped
MCA2681Side 1 Label
MCA2682Side 2 Label
MCA-2681-SS-1A-Side Runout Etching
MCA-2682-SS-1B-Side Runout Etching
STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Runout Stamp Each Side
MC-11871-E-SS1 回-G-回 STERLINGEtched Side A, except "回-G-回 STERLING" stamped
MC-11872-E-SS1 回-G-回 ⚝ STERLINGEtched Side B, except "回-G-回" & "STERLING" stamped
MC 11871ELabel side A
MC 11872ELabel side B
MC 11871ELabel side A
MC 11872ELabel side B
MC 11871ELabel side A
MC 11872ELabel side B
MC-11871-E-SS2 ☆ STERLING ◈-P-◈ I̶I̶I̶I̶Deadwax A
MC-11872-E-SS2 STERLING ◈-P-◈ IIIDeadwax B
MC-11871-E-SS1 回-G-回 STERLINGEtched Side A, except "回-G-回 STERLING" stamped
MC-11872-E-SS1 回-G-回 ⚝ STERLINGEtched Side B, except "回-G-回" & "STERLING" stamped
MC 11871ELabel side A
MC 11872ELabel side 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 | Brazil | MCA Records 103 543First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-51148First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33531First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 600 452 / MCA Records 600 452-213First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 103 543 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records S-620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records SL-7063First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 600 452 / MCA Records 600 452-213First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 103.543First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA-51148First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 745First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCA 745First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-51148First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-51148First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-51148First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of General Hospi-tale are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-13955, released July 25, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-13955, MCA-51148, MCAT 745, MCA 745) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2681-SS-2 ◈-P-◈ STERLING and MCA-2682-SS-2◈-P-◈ STERLING. 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.
