Vinyl pressings
by The Muppets · 1977
The Muppet Show 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.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AB-4152-SA-1A SX STERLING A ZSSide 1 run out
AB-4152-SB-1A SX STERLING C ISSide 2 run out
AB-4152-SA-1B SX T. 1S SXTSide 1 run out
AB-4152-SB-1C. SX T D 7 STERLING 1SSide 2 run out
AB-4152-SA MISide A, etched
AB-4152-SB MI STERLINGSide B, etched, STERLING appears to be machine-stamped in tiny print
AB-4152-SA-1C A STERLING SXT S2Runout A
AB-4152-SA-1C SXT D13 STERLING S1Runout B
AB 4152 SALabel A
AB 4152 SBLabel B
NSPH 19 A-2▵G. AK 2Side A runout, variant 1
NSPH 19 B-3◊G. BX 2Side B runout, variant 1
NSPH 19 A-2▵G. 3A AXSide A runout, variant 2
NSPH 19 B-3◊G. 7 ∆ESide B runout, variant 2
SPLP-1502-A FH 14/6/TEtched runout side A
SPLP-1502-B FH 14/6/TEtched runout side B
SPLP-1502-A2 FH 5/8/Runout side A
SPLP-1502-B3 R.W.Runout 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 | Astor SPLP-1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Astor SPLP-1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AB 4152First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista ABM 65017LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | France | Pye Records PYA. 20297 / Pye Records PYA. 20.297First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Germany | Pye Records 25 743 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Greece | Pye Records NSPH 5013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Ireland | Pye Records NSPH19First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Israel | Teen Records nsph 19 / התקליט 35141First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Pye Records NSPH 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Pye Records NSPH 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Pye Records NSPH 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Pye Records NSPH19First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Portugal | Pye Records NSPH19First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | South Africa | Pye Records NSPHC 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Pye Records NSPH 19LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista AL5-8073LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of The Muppet Show are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AB 4152.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4152, NSPH19, SPLP-1502, PYA. 20297) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB-4152-SA-1A SX STERLING A ZS and AB-4152-SB-1A SX STERLING C IS. 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.
