Vinyl pressings
by The Muppets · 1981
The Great Muppet Caper 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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-814703-A ① SLM △ 685 B-15790-1Variation 1 side A runout
^ STA 814704-A ① SLM △ 685-X (SUB) B-15791-1Variation 1 side B runout
^ STA-814703-A ② +SLM+ △ 685 (SUB) B-15790-2Variation 2 side A runout
^ STA-814704-A ② +SLM+ △ 685-X (SUB) B-15791-2Variation 2 side B runout
STA 814703-A SP 0-3 SM3-1Runout, side A, etched
STA 814704-A 0-3 SM2-1 SPRunout, side B, etched
ST-A-814703-SPLabel, side A
ST-A-814704-SPLabel, side B
△ MX198635 WS 5242-1Stamped Side A
△ MX198636 WS 5242-2Stamped Side B
XSD-16047-A-1 #2 K.E.F. TLC.T.Side A runout, etched
XSD-16047-B-1 K.E.F. TLC.T.Side B runout, etched
XSD-16047-A QSide A runout
XSD-16047-B QSide B runout
ST-A-814703Side A label
ST-A-814704Side B label
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 | Australia & New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WS 5242First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic SD 16047 / Atlantic XSD 16047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic SD 16047 / Atlantic XSD 16047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 942First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Warner Bros. Records WS 5242First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56 942First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic SD 16047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic SD 16047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Atlantic 16047LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Warner Bros. Records GM-200.2825 / Warner Bros. Records LPS. 200.2825First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Great Muppet Caper are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 16047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 16047, K 56 942, WS 5242, WB 56 942) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ^ STA-814703-A ① SLM △ 685 B-15790-1 and ^ STA 814704-A ① SLM △ 685-X (SUB) B-15791-1. 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.
