Vinyl pressings
by Focus · 1973
Hocus Pocus / Sylvia was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
5C006-24697 A//HM 19.067-1-Y-8 7 1 1Runout side A, variant 1
5C006-24697 B//HD17121-1-Y-9 2 7 1 1Runout side B, variant 1
5C006-24697 A//HM 19.067-1-Y-8 12 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
5C006-24697B//HD17121-1-Y-9 33 1 1 BRunout side B, variant 2
2001 427A 7YS400Runout side A
2001 427B 7YS401Runout side B
2001 427 ASide A label
2001 427 BSide B label
7YS400Etched in runout Side A.
7YS401Etched in runout Side B.
2001 427 APrinted on label Side A and etched in runout.
2001 427 BPrinted on label Side B and etched in runout.
2001 427 1 1 520 18 05 73 02Runout side A
2001 427 2 1 520 18 05 73 02Runout side B
2001 427 ALabel side A
2001 427 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Polydor 2001 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Imperial 4C 006-24697First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2001427First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Italy | Polydor 2001 427First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Portugal | Polydor 2001 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | Polydor 20 01 427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C006-24 697 / Imperial 5C 006-24697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | Polydor 2001 427First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-267687", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | EMI G45 397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Old Gold OG 96967", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Hocus Pocus / Sylvia are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Greece and more. One of them is Imperial 5C006-24 697, released March 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C006-24 697, 2001 427, 4C 006-24697, 2001427) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C006-24697 A//HM 19.067-1-Y-8 7 1 1 and 5C006-24697 B//HD17121-1-Y-9 2 7 1 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.
