Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1977
Front Page News 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.
18 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 14 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.
0062 093-A PFRunout side A, variant 1
0062-093-B PFRunout side B, variant 1
0062.093-A PF·Runout side A, variant 2
0062-093-B PF·Runout side B, variant 2
MCG 3524 A-1 RL 1 HARRYVariant 1 Side A stamped, HARRY etched
MCG 3524 B-1 RA 1Variant 1 Side B stamped
MCG 3524 A-1 D0 HARRY 3Variant 2 Side A, stamped, HARRY etched
MCG 3524 B-1 =01Variant 2 Side B stamped
MCG 3524 A-1Runout side 1
MCG 3524 B-1Runout side 2
MCA - 1356 C-5 ST JBSide A runout, variant 1
MCA 1357 C8Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1356-C-8-ISide A runout, variant 2
MCA 1357 C8 ISide B runout, variant 2
MCA-1356 C-7 JT JB II ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-1357 C-6 ST JB II ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1356 C-6 JT JB I ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-1357 C-6 ST JB II ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 2
MCA 1356 W 9Runout side A
MCA 1357 L-5Runout 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 | MCA Records MCA-2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | MCA Records 511 001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | MCA Records 511 001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6143First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 062-99507 / MCA Records MCA 2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA-2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA 2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | MCA Records 63 28 844First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | MCA Records MCG 3524 / MCA Records MCA 2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | MCA Records MCG 3524First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | MCA Records MCA-2311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 201 561LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | MCA Records I-201561 / MCA Records I-201.561LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCL 1655 / MCA Records MCA 2311LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201561 / MCA Records 201 561-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | MCA Records 201 561 / MCA Records 201 561-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Turkey | MCA Records MCA-2311 / MCA Records 984LP, Album | LP, Album |
26 vinyl pressings of Front Page News are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1977 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Germany, UK, US, Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong and more. One of them is MCA Records 0062.093, released October 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0062.093, MCG 3524, MCA-2311, MCA 2311) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0062 093-A PF and 0062-093-B PF. 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.
