Vinyl pressings
by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers · 1991
Learning To Fly was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
MCS 1555 A-1U-1-Q2Side A runout, stamped
MCS 1555 B-1U-1-Q2Side B runout, stamped
MCS 1555ASide A label
MCS 1555BSide B label
MCS 1555 A-1U-1-1Side A
MCS 1555 B-1U-1-1Side B
MCS 1555ASide A, label
MCS 1555BSide B, label
TP1.A LYN 28960 PAULS' THE EXCHANGE.Runout side A
TP1.A LYN 25960 PAULS' THE EXCHANGE.Runout side B
MC35647 FDS-3Runout A etched
MC35654 FDS-4Runout B etched
MC 35647Side A label
MC 35654Side B label
MCAS 754124 ASide A
MCAS 754124 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Australasia | MCA Records MCAS7 54124First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Australia | MCA Records MCS 754124First year7" | 7" |
| 1991 | Europe | MCA Records MCS 17799First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | France | MCA Records MCS 17799First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Germany | MCA Records MCT 17798First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Mexico | Ariola RX-1012 / MCA Records RX-1012First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1991 | Spain | MCA Records MCS 17799 (1A) / MCA Records 1A MCS-17799First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1991 | Spain | MCA Records MCT 17798 (3A)First year12" | 12" |
| 1991 | UK | MCA Records MCS 1555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | MCA Records TP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | MCA Records MCS 1555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | US | MCA Records MCAS7-54124First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Costa Rica | BMG International 712629112", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Learning To Fly are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCS 1555.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCS 1555, TP 1, MCAS7-54124, MCAS7 54124) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCS 1555 A-1U-1-Q2 and MCS 1555 B-1U-1-Q2. 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.
