Vinyl pressings
by Dreams · 1971
Imagine My Surprise was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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.
P AL-30960-1ASide A runout, variant 1
P BL 30960-1DSide B runout, variant 1
○ P AL-30960-1A PSide A runout, variant 2
○ P BL 30960-1D PSide B runout, variant 2
o P AL-30960-1C 1TSide A runout
o P BL 30960-1C 1TSide B runout
AL 30960Side A label
BL 30960Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia C 30960First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPC-57127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPC-57127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Netherlands | CBS S 64597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Columbia C 30960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Columbia C 30960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64597LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | CBS S 64597LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | CBS S 64597 / CBS C 30960LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia C 30960LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Imagine My Surprise are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Canada, Japan, Netherlands. One of them is Columbia C 30960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 30960, SOPC-57127, S 64597) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL-30960-1A and P BL 30960-1D. 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.
