Vinyl pressings
by Chick Corea · 1978
Secret Agent was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
PD-1-6176-AS PRC-1-1-111Variant 1 side A
PD-1-6176-BS PRC-1-1-1Variant 1 side B
PD-1-6176-AS PRC-1-1-11Variant 2 side A
PD-1-6176-BS PRC-1-1-1111Variant 2 side B
PD - I - 6176 AS ALSide 1 Etched
PD - I - 6176 BS ALSide 2 Etched
PD-1-6176-AS CP1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6176-BS CP5Runout side B, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6176-AS CP2Runout side A, etched, variant 2
PD-1-6176-BS CPRunout side B, etched, variant 2
PD-1-6176-AS PRC-1-1- 11side A etched
PD-1-6176-BS PRC-1-1-1111side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Austria | Polydor 2391 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2391 381First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2391 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | India | Polydor 2391 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Israel | Polydor 2391 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Polydor 2391 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1220First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1220First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9005LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
30 vinyl pressings of Secret Agent are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Austria, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6176, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6176, 2391 381, MPF 1220, 23 91 390) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6176-AS PRC-1-1-111 and PD-1-6176-BS PRC-1-1-1. 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.
