Vinyl pressings
by The Manhattan Transfer · 1981
Mecca For Moderns 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.
36 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 25 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.
STA 814701-A 0Ξ2 SM4-5 EDP M1 SF 1 SM-4 SPA side runout etched, except EDP stamped, variant 1
STA 814702-A SP 0-2SM2- ⸗1 EDP M1 SF1SM3B side runout etched, except EDP stamped, variant 1
STA 814701-A 0-2 SM2-2 EDP M1 SPA side runout etched, except EDP stamped, variant 2
STA 814702-A 0Ξ1SM3-2 SP. EDP M1B side runout etched, except EDP stamped, variant 2
EDP inside ovalMachine-stamped, Side A & B runout
STA 814701-A ② M1SF1SM1 16036 A25109 MPEtched, Side A runout, variant 1
V STA 814702-A ② = 16036 M1SF1SM2 A25109X MPEtched, Side B runout, variant 1
STA 814701-A = (EDP) M1SF1SM2 16036 (4) ∆25109 MR vEtched, Side A runout, variant 2
STA 814701-A ➁ = (EDP) M1 SF1 SM1 16036 ∆25109 mp vRunout side A, variant 1 etched
STA 814702-A ② = 16036 (EDP) M1 SF1 SM2 ∆25109X mp VRunout side B, variant 1 etched
EDP inside ovalMachine-stamped, Side A & B runout, variant 1
STA 814701-A = (EDP)M1SF1SM2 16036 (1) ∆25109 MR VRunout side A, variant 2
K.50789 - A1 DAMONTRunout, A-side, etched
K.50789 - B1 DAMONTRunout, B-side, etched
STRAWBERRYRunout, both sides, stamped
Manhattan - Transfer - A-32002-A OMSide A
Manhattan - Transfer - A-32002-B OMSide B
ST-A-814701 (Side A)
ST-A-814702 (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 | Argentina | Atlantic 83401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 16036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | Atlantic ATL 50 791First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Austria | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic MS/MT 5634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Austria | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic MS/MT 5634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Atlantic 20.063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 16036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic (MS/MT 5634)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic (MS/MT 5634)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic MS/MT 5634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic MS/MT 5634First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Atlantic ATL 50 791First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 791 / Atlantic ATL-50 791First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Atlantic K50789First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | General Music Co. Ltd. BAN 50791First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 791LP, Album | LP, Album |
39 vinyl pressings of Mecca For Moderns are listed here, from 25 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Venezuela, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16036.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16036, K50789, A-32002, 83401) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 814701-A 0Ξ2 SM4-5 EDP M1 SF 1 SM-4 SP and STA 814702-A SP 0-2SM2- ⸗1 EDP M1 SF1SM3. 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.
