Vinyl pressings
by The J. Geils Band · 1977
Monkey Island was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
ST-A-773873-B MCR Joe (PR)A side runout, variant 1
ST-A-773874-B MCR Joe (PR)B side runout, variant 1
ST-A-773873-B MCR Joe (PR) PA side runout, variant 2
ST-A-773874-B MCR Joe (PR) PB side runout, variant 2
ST-A-773873-8BB-1 MCR JOE (PR) PRCRunout side A, variant 1
ST-A-773874-8BB-1 MCR JOE PRC (PR)Runout side B, variant 1
ST-A-773873-8BB-1 MCR PRC JOE (PR) PRunout side A, variant 2
ST-A-773874-8BB-1 MCR JOE PRC (PR)Runout side B, variant 2
ST-A-773873-BB [MR logo] MCR Joe △22314 (2) (PR)Run out, side A, variant 1
ST-A-773874-BB [MR logo] MCR Joe △22314-X (3) (PR)Run out, side B, variant 1
ST-A-773873-BB [MR logo] MCR Joe △22314 (3) (PR)Run out, side A, variant 2
ST-A-773874-BB [MR logo] MCR Joe △22314-X (1) (PR)Run out, side B, variant 2
ST-A-773873-B SP 0-2 SM2 MCR Joe (PR)Runout side A, etched
ST-A-773874-B MCR Joe SP (PR)SP 0-1 SM1-4Runout side B, etched
ST-A-773873- SPLabel side A
ST-A-773874- SPLabel side B
ST-A-773873-PRA side label
ST-A-773874-PRB side label
ST-A-773873-D SRC 1-2 SP-AR △12556 B-23512-DRunout, side A
ST-A-773874-D SRC 1-2 SPAR △12556-x B-23513-DRunout, side B
ST-A-773873-ARLabel, side A
ST-A-773874-ARLabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic KSD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 381 / Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Atlantic W 50381First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Atlantic P-10388AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50381 / Atlantic SD 19.103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2855LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1977 | UK | Atlantic K 50381First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Atlantic K 50381First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19103First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 19103LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 381 / Atlantic SD 19103LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 381 / Atlantic SD 19103LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Monkey Island are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19103, released June 9, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19103, K 50381, KSD 19103, ATL 50 381) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-773873-B MCR Joe (PR) and ST-A-773874-B MCR Joe (PR). 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.
