Vinyl pressings
by Tygers Of Pan Tang · 1982
The Cage was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MCF 3150 A1 ARUNSide A, etched, variant 1
MCF 3150 B1 ARUNSide B, etched, variant 1
MCF 3150 A1 4 ARUN DSide A, etched [4 D stamped], variant 2
MCF 3150-B2 3 ⋀Side B, etched [3 ⋀ stamped] , variant 2
MCL 1797 A // 3 ▽ 420V
MCL 1797 B // 3 ▽ 420 V
MCA-3231-W4Side A
MCA-3232-W3Side B
MCA-3231-W2 回-G-回A-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
MCA-3232-W1 回-G-回B-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
MCA-3231-W2 回-G-回Variant 2 A-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
MCA-3232-W2 回-G-回Variant 2 B-side runout, etched; 回-G-回 stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | MCA Records MAPS10813First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australasia | MCA Records MAPS10813First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 962 320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 204 962 320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | MCA Records 204 962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | MCA Records 14C 062-65047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | MCA Records MCF 3150First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4166 / MCA Records MCF 3150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6285First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6285First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MAPS 10813First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Taiwan | 小雅唱片 15MP-70LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 452-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 250 452-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of The Cage are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3150.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3150, MCL1797, MCL 1797, MCA-5381) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 3150 A1 ARUN and MCF 3150 B1 ARUN. 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.
