Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1968
Idea was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
47 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 20 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.
582036 A // 1 ∇ 420 1Runout side A, Variant 1
582036 B // 2 ∇ 420 11Runout side B, Variant 1
582036 A // 1 ∇ 420 1 15Runout side A, Variant 2
582036 B // 2 ∇ 420 1 12Runout side B, Variant 2
583036 A//1∇420 1 cSide A, stamped
583036 B//∇420 1S 1Side B, stamped
STC-681333-BB-RE LW AT (MR) △12189 WRunout A, variant 1
STC-681334-AA-RE AT LW (MR) △12189-X WRunout B, variant 1
STC-681333-BB-RE LW AT (MR) △12189 WRunout A, variant 2
STC-681334-AA AT LW (MR) △12189-X WRunout B, variant 2
STC-681333-B LW AT WRunout side A, var. 1
ST-C-681334-A AT LW WRunout side B, var. 1
ST-C-681333-B P LW AT WRunout side A, var. 2
ST-C-681334-A P AT LW WRunout side B, var. 2
S T C-681333-2B I CT T A3A runout stamped, T A3 etched, variant 1
1o S T C-681334-1A I CT T B6B runout stamped, T B6 etched, variant 1
S T C681333-2A CT o T C2A runout stamped, T 2 etched, variant 2
o ST C681334-1A 1 CT T D1B runout stamped, T 1 etched, variant 2
ST-C-681333-1C P 1 Λ CP oRun out, side A / stamped
ST-C-681334-1C P Λ 3 CP oRun out, side B / stamped
(ST-C-681333)Label, side A
(ST-C-681334)Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Polydor 20355First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | Spin EL-32986First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | Spin SEL-932986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Australia | Spin SEL-932,986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Austria | Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Belgium | Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Brazil | Polydor LPG 624.007 / Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Atco Records SD 33-253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Atco Records SD 33-253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 33-253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | France | Polydor 658 091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | France | Polydor 658 091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Polydor 184 169First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Polydor MP-1414LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Uruguay | Polydor 20.355LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | Japan | RSO MW 2100LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | RSO 23 94 198LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Uruguay | Polydor 20.355LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | France | RSO 2394 198LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RSO MWF 1050LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RSO MWF-1050LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | RSO 2394 198LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | France | RSO 2394 198LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Germany | RSO 2394 198LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1979 | Peru | Polydor 184 169LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | RSO 2394 284 / RSO 2394284LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Polydor 833 660-1 / Polydor 422 833-660-1 Y-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Polydor 1184169 / Polydor 5415LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Spin L-32986LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Spin SEL-932,986LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Polydor LPG 624.007 / Polydor 184 169LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Chile | Polydor 84.169LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | RSO 658 091LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2394 198LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Iran | Monde LP-1008LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Polydor 184 169LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-253LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-253LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-253LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-253 / ATCO Records SD33-253LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | ATCO Records SD 33-253LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
82 vinyl pressings of Idea are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1968 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, US, Germany, Israel and more. One of them is Polydor 582 036, released September 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 582 036, 583036, SD 33-253, SD33-253) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 582036 A // 1 ∇ 420 1 and 582036 B // 2 ∇ 420 11. 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.
