Vinyl pressings
by Focus · 1972
Focus 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2344038 A//1▽420 1 3Runout side A, variant 1
2344038 B//1▽420 1 2Runout side B, variant 1
2344039 A//1▽420 1 3Runout side C, variant 1
2344039 B//1▽420 1 2Runout side D, variant 1
2344038 A//1▽420 1 3Side A
2344038 B//1▽420 1 2Side B
2344039 A//1▽420 1 3Side C
2344039 B//1▽420 1 3Side D
2344038 A//1▽420 1 3 5C- 188-24753- A E P 04 40Runout side A
2344038 B//1▽420 1 2 5C- 188-24753- B E P 1 2Runout side B
2344039 A//1▽420 1 3 5C- 188- 24754- A E P 8 2Runout side C
2344039 B//1▽420 1 3 5C- 188- 24754- B E P 4 04 17Runout side D
2344038 A// 1 ▽ 420 1 1 4A-side runout, variant 1
2344038 B// 3 ▽ 420 1 1 1B-side runout, variant 1
2344039 A// 1 ▽ 420 1 1 3C-side runout, variant 1
2344039 B// 1 ▽ 420 1 1 4D-side runout, variant 1
2344038 A // 1 ▽ 420 1 1 24 04Side A runout, variant 1
2344038 B // 3 ▽ 420 1 1 5Side B runout, variant 1
2344039 A // 1 ▽ 420 1 1 21Side C runout, variant 1
2344039 B // 1 ▽ 420 11 16 04Side D runout, variant 1
2344 - 038 A-1 STERLING A3Side A Runout, Etched / "STERLING" stamped
2344 - 038 B-1 STERLING A3Side B Runout, Etched / "STERLING" stamped
2344 - 039 A-1 STERLING A3Side C Runout, Etched / "STERLING" stamped
2344 - 039 B-1 STERLING A3Side D Runout, Etched / "STERLING" stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Sire SAS 3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Sire SAS 3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2612 024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2612 024First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 188-24 753/54First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 188-24753First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C188-24 753/54First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Polydor 2612 024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2659 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901 / Sire SAS-3901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901 / Sire SAS-3901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Sire SAS 3901 / Sire SAS-3901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Netherlands | Imperial 1A 154-24753LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP022 / Red Bullet RB 33189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP022 / Red Bullet RB 33.189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP022 / Red Bullet RB 33.189LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Imperial 1A 154-24753LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Disc'Az STEC 141 et 142LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Polydor MP9445/46LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-2016-17LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
48 vinyl pressings of Focus 3 are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1972 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Netherlands, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Imperial 5C 188-24 753/54.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 188-24 753/54, 5C 188-24753, 5C188-24 753/54, 2659 016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2344038 A//1▽420 1 3 and 2344038 B//1▽420 1 2. 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.
