Vinyl pressings
by Art Van Damme · 1974
Invitation was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 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.
A1 0666 223 S1 21 22016 8 S1 320Runout side A, variant 1
B1 0666 223 S2 21 22016 8 S2 320Runout side B, variant 1
1 E 0666 223 S1 21 22016 8 S1 320Runout side A, variant 2
1 D 0666 223 S2 2[2 crossed out]1 22016 8 S2 320Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Germany | MPS Records 21 22016-8 / BASF 21 22016-8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | MPS Records 21 22016-8LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Germany | MPS Records 21 22016-8LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | MPS Records RP 7045-MPFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1742-PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | MPS Records ULX-5-P / BASF ULX-5-PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | MPS Records 21 22016-6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | MPS Records 21 22016-8 / BASF 21 22016-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | MPS Records MC 22016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | MPS Records MC 22016 / BASF G 22016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | MPS Records 68.107LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1625-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records 7066LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1742-PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 68.107 / MPS Records 21 22016-8LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 68.107LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | MPS Records 5C 064D-99445 / Delta 5C 064D-99445LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Africa | BASF BFL 3098LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Invitation are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Germany, US, Japan, Netherlands. One of them is MPS Records 21 22016-8.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 21 22016-8, MC 22016, RP 7045-MP, ULS-1742-P) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A1 0666 223 S1 21 22016 8 S1 320 and B1 0666 223 S2 21 22016 8 S2 320. 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.
