Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1985
Letter To Brezhnev was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
I ⧈-⊖-⧈ MCA-5203-ASR-5 [Artisan logo]Runout side A
⧈-⊖-⧈ / MCA-5204-ASR-1 [Artisan logo]Runout side B
MCA 5203Matrix label side A
MCA 5204Matrix label side B
MCA-5203-ASR-4Runout side A
MCA-5204-ASR-3Runout side B
(MCA 5203)Matrix label side A
(MCA 5204)Matrix label side B
LONLP 8 A // 1 ▽420 R 1 toneRunout side A
LONLP 8 B // 1 ▽420 R 1 1Runout side B
PACLZ 3982Label side A
PACLZ 3983Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | London Records 820 298-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | London Records 820 298-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | France | London Records 820 298-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Germany | London Records 820 298-1MEFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | London Records 820 298-1 / London Records LONLP 8LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | London Records 820 298-1 / London Records LONLP 8First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Israel | London Records 820 298-1 / London Records LONLP8First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Japan | London Records L28P 1235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | London Records L28P 1235First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | South Africa | London Records STARL 5423First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | London Records LONLP 8 / London Records 820 298-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-6162 / London Records MCA-6162First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-6162 / London Records MCA-6162First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
13 vinyl pressings of Letter To Brezhnev are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australasia, Europe and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-6162.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-6162, LONLP 8, 820 298-1, 820 298-1ME) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I ⧈-⊖-⧈ MCA-5203-ASR-5 [Artisan logo] and ⧈-⊖-⧈ / MCA-5204-ASR-1 [Artisan logo]. 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.
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