Vinyl pressings
by Walter Egan · 1983
Wild Exhibitions was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 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.
MCA-3287-PL8 LYCANTHROPE PRECISIONSide A Runout - Etched
MCA-3288-PL7 WALTER STATES. ALTER EGO PRECISIONSide B Runout - Etched
◈-P-◈Side A/B Runout - Stamped
MCA-3287-PL6 LYCANTHROPE PRECISION I ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout - etched, ⧈-G-⧈ stamped
MCA-3288-PL9 WALTER STATES. ALTER EGO PRECISION ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout - etched, ⧈-G-⧈ stamped
MCA-3287-PL5 LYCANTHROPICSide 1 var. 1
MCA-3288-PL9 WALTER STATES, ALTERED EGOSide 2 var.1
MCA-3287-PL5 LYCANTHROPIC ⧈-G-⧈ PERCISIONSide 1 var. 2
MCA-3288-PL9 ⧈-G-⧈ WALTER STATES, ALTERED EGOSide 2 var. 2
205459 A - 1 / 83S I Made in GermanySIDE ONE Stamped
205459 B - 1 / 83S I Made in GermanySIDE TWO 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR 5400 / MCA Records MCA 3288/MCA 3287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-5400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Backstreet Records 205 459 / MCA Records 205 459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Backstreet Records 205 459 / MCA Records 205 459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Backstreet Records BSR 5400 / MCA Records MCA 4188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6304 / Backstreet Records VIM-6304First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIM-6304First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Backstreet Records BSR 5400 / MCA Records BSR 5400First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Backstreet Records BSR 5400 / MCA Records MCA-3287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Backstreet Records BSR 5400 / MCA Records MCA-3287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Wild Exhibitions are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Canada, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR 5400.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR 5400, BSR-5400, 205 459, VIM-6304) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-3287-PL8 LYCANTHROPE PRECISION and MCA-3288-PL7 WALTER STATES. ALTER EGO PRECISION. 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.
