Vinyl pressings
by Curved Air · 1975
Midnight Wire was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BT M - 1005 - A S Manufactured in GermanyA-side runout area stamped, S etched
BT M - 1005 - B S Manufactured in GermanyB-side runout area stamped, S etched
BTM-1005-A-1ESide A, etched - variant 1
BTM-1005-B-2ESide B, etched - variant 1
BTM-1005-A-1E A1J MSide A, etched - variant 2
BTM-1006-B-2E A1O WSide B, etched - variant 2
BTM 1005A A1˄ 2A-side runout area
BTM 1005B A1˄ 1B-side runout area
BTM 1005 A MC1 AGIEtched runout side A
BTM 1005 B MC1 AGIEtched runout side B
BTM 1005 ALabel side A
BTM 1005 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RCA Victor VPL1-4023 / BTM Records BTM 1005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | RCA Victor BTM 1005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RCA Victor BTM 1005 / RCA Victor 26.21587 ASFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Victor VPL1-4023 / BTM Records BTM 1005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Portugal | RCA Victor BTM 1005 / BTM Records BTM 1005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | RCA Victor BTM 1005 / RCA Victor 26.21587 ASFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | BTM Records BTM 1005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | RCA RVP-6007LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | RCA RVP-6007LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Germany | Repertoire Records BTM 1005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor BTM 1005 / RCA Victor 26.21587 ASLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Midnight Wire are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1975 and 1995.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in Germany, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor BTM 1005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTM 1005, VPL1-4023) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BT M - 1005 - A S Manufactured in Germany and BT M - 1005 - B S Manufactured in Germany. 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.
