Vinyl pressings
by Cozy Powell · 1974
The Man In Black 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.
15 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 12 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.
YRAK 173 A-1 ROSide A, stamped variant 1
YRAK 173 B-1 ATSide B, stamped variant 1
YRAK 173 A-1 GO 2Side A, stamped variant 2
YRAK 173 B-1 MP 1Side B, stamped variant 2
YRAK 173 A-1 ROSide A, stamped
YRAK 173 B-1 ROSide B, stamped
YRAK.173AA-side label
YRAK.173BB-side label
C 006-95491-A1 FP74Runout side A etched
C 006-95461-B1 FP74Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4 C006-95491First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RAK 2C 008-95491 / RAK 2C 008-95.941First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-95 491 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-95 491First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | RAK RAK 173First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Mexico | EMI 7571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-95491First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 173First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | South Africa | RAK RAK 1009 JFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Spain | Odeon 1 J006-95.491First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Sweden | RAK RAK 173First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | RAK YRAK 173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | RAK RAK-10530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | RAK RAK 1737", White Label | 7", White Label |
16 vinyl pressings of The Man In Black are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Belgium, France, Germany and more. One of them is RAK RAK 173.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 173, YRAK 173, 4 C006-95491, 2C 008-95491) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 173 A-1 RO and YRAK 173 B-1 AT. 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.
