Vinyl pressings
by Charlie · 1976
Fantasy Girls was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
2383373 A//1 1 11 12Side A Variant 1
2383373 B//2 1 11 4Side B Variant 1
2383373 A//2 1 11 1Side A Variant 2
2383373 B//2 1 11 3Side B Variant 2
2383373 A // 1 T 11 9Runout, A-side, stamped
2383373 B // 2 T 11 1Runout, B-side, stamped
P AL34081-1A S1 A2Runout A stamped / S1 A2 etched
P BL34081-1G S1 A2Runout B stamped / S1 A2 etched
AL 34081Matrix A on label
BL 34081Matrix B on label
º P AL34081-1D 1TSide 1 stamped 1T etched, variant 1
º P BL34081-1C 1TSide 2 stamped 1T etched, variant 1
º P AL34081-1C 1T ASide 1 stamped 1T etched, variant 2
º P BL34081-1D 1T BSide 2 stamped 1T etched, variant 2
AL 34081Matrix A on label
BL 34081Matrix B on label
p P AL34081-1E
p PBL34081-1J A
º P AL34081-1D 1TSide 1 Stamped 1T Etched
º P AL34081-1C 1TSide 2 Stamped 1T Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2460 280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 373First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2383 373 / Polydor 2383-373First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Polydor 2383 373 / Polydor 2383-373First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34081First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34081First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Polydor MP 2550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Polydor MP 2550First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Fantasy Girls are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor 2383 373.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2383 373, PC 34081, MP 2550, 2460 280) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2383373 A//1 1 11 12 and 2383373 B//2 1 11 4. 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.
