Vinyl pressings
by The Fixx · 1983
The Sign Of Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 2 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.
MC-14102-ASR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈A side runout, etched
MC-14856-ASR-3 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈B side runout, etched
MC-14102-ACR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Runout, Side A, Etched except P/Artisan, stamped
MC-14860-ACR-4 ◈-P-◈Runout, Side B, Etched except P, stamped
MC14102Label, Side A
MC14860Label, Side B
MC-14102-ASR-1side A runout area data
MC-14856-ASR-2side B runout area data
MC-14102-ASR-1 [Artisan logo] ⧈-G-⧈A-Side Runout Etching [(Artisan Logo) ⧈-G-⧈ Stamped]
MC-14860-ASR-2 ⧈-G-⧈B-Side Runout Etching [⧈-G-⧈ Stamped]
MC14102A-Side Label
MC14860B-Side Label
MCA -3719-ASR-3 [Artisan Logo] ◈-P-◈A-side runout
MCA -3723-ASR-2 [Artisan Logo] ◈-P-◈B-side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCAY-52316 / MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCAZ-52316First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records L33-1146First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCAY-52316First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records L33-1146First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCAZ-52316First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCAY-52316 / MCA Records MCA-52316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 7-523167", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-15607", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records VIMX-15607", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of The Sign Of Fire are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Canada. One of them is MCA Records MCAY-52316.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCAY-52316, MCAZ-52316, L33-1146, MCA-52316) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-14102-ASR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ and MC-14856-ASR-3 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈. 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.
