Vinyl pressings
by Cockney Rebel · 1974
Mr. Soft 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.
18 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 11 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.
EMI 2191 A-1 RL 2Stamped runout, side A (variant 1)
EMI 2191 B-1 RH 1Stamped runout, side B (variant 1)
EMI 2191 A-1 G L 1Stamped runout, Side A (variant 2)
EMI 2191 B-1 R D C 2Stamped runout, Side B (variant 2)
EMI 2191 A-1 RL 2Stamped runout, side A (variant 1)
EMI 2191 B-1 RH 1Stamped runout, side B (variant 1)
EMI 2191 A-1 G L 1Stamped runout, Side A (variant 2)
EMI 2191 B-1 R D C 2Stamped runout, Side B (variant 2)
EMI 2191 A-1 HO 2Stamped runout, side A
EMI 2191 B-1 TO 1Stamped runout, side B
5C 006-05655 - A //22905 -1 -Y 3Side A, runout
5C 006-05655 - A //22906 -1 -Y 3Side B, runout
5C 006-05655-ASide A, label
5C 006-05655-BSide B, label
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 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006-05655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006-05655First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | EMI 2 C008-05655 / EMI 2C 008-05.655First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-05651 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05651First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-05 651 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05 651First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-05651 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-056517", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Ireland | EMI EMI 2191First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMR-10615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMR-10615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 2191First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Portugal | EMI 8E 006 05651 MGFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Spain | EMI 1 J 006.05.651First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | EMI EMI 2191First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | EMI SEMI 88784 / Jugoton SEMI 88784First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-05655First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Mr. Soft are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Netherlands, Belgium, France and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2191, released July 26, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2191, 5C 006-05655, 4C 006-05655, 2 C008-05655) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2191 A-1 RL 2 and EMI 2191 B-1 RH 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.
