Vinyl pressings
by The Manhattan Transfer · 1981
The Best Of The Manhattan Transfer 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.
24 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 17 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-814809-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM3-2 [EDP logo] M1Runout side A, variant 1
ST-A-814810-C 0-1 SM3-1 SP [EDP logo] M1Runout side B, variant 1
ST-A-814809-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM1-2 [EDP logo] M1Runout side A, variant 2
ST-A-814810-C 0-1 SM3-2 SP [EDP logo] M1Runout side B, variant 2
ST-A-814809-C B-16345Runout Side A, variant 1
ST-A-814810-C B-16346Runout Side B, variant 1
ST-A-814809-C [Allied logo] B-16345 △2718 [EDP logo] M1 SF1SM2Runout Side A, variant 2
ST-A-814810-C [EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM2 B-16346 △2718-XRunout Side B, variant 2
ST-A-814809On Side 1
ST-A-814810On Side 2
Å MX199535 SD19319-1Side A runout
Å MX199536 SD19319-2Side B runout
MX199535Side A label
MX199536Side B label
R/S Alsdorf 50856 A2 ø .STRAWBERRY (C).Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 50856 B ø .STRAWBERRY (C).Runout side B
ATL 50856-1Label side A, in parentheses
ATL 50846-2Label side B, misprint, in parentheses
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 80841First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Austria | Atlantic ATL K 50856 / Atlantic ATL 50856First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic SD 19319LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Atlantic ATL 50 856 / Atlantic 50 856First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50856 / Atlantic ATL K 50 856First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Israel | Atlantic XSD 19319First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Italy | Atlantic W 50841First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-6481AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic P-6481AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Atlantic FCPA 1076First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19319LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic SD 19319LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 856 / Atlantic ATL 50 856LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 856 / Atlantic ATL 50 856LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 856LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 856 / Atlantic ATL 50 856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL K 50856 / Atlantic ATL 50856LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Scandinavia | Atlantic ATL 50856 / Atlantic ATL K 50856LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19319LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
41 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Manhattan Transfer are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Argentina, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19319.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19319, 80841, ATL K 50856, XSD 19319) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-814809-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM3-2 [EDP logo] M1 and ST-A-814810-C 0-1 SM3-1 SP [EDP logo] M1. 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.
