Vinyl pressings
by Focus · 1972
Moving Waves 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.
7 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
5C180-24572 A //HM 17473-1-Y-8Runout side A, etched
5C180-24572B //HM 17474-2-Y-9Runout side B, etched
2431011 A//1∆420 2 12Runout side C, stamped
5C054-24385-BRunout side D, etched
5C180-24572A//HM.17.473-1-Y-8.Runout side A, etched
5c180-24572B//HD17474-2-Y-9Runout side B, etched
056-24385-A--16699-2-YRunout side C, stamped
056-24385-X//19700-3-Y BRunout side D, stamped / etched "B"
5C180-24572A//HM.17.473-1-Y-8.Runout side A, etched
5c180-24572B//HD17474-2-Y-9Runout side B, etched
056-24385-A--16699-2-YRunout side C, stamped
056-24385-X//19700-3-Y BRunout side D, stamped, [B] etched
5C180-24572A//HM.17.473-1-Y-8.Runout side A, etched
5c180-24572B//HD17474-2-Y-9Runout side B, etched
2431011 A//1 420 2 12Runout side C, stamped
5C 054-24385-BRunout side D, etched
5C180-24572A//HM.17.473-1-Y-8.Runout A, etched
5c180-24572B//HD17474-2-Y-9Runout B, etched
056-24385-A--16699-2-YRunout C, stamped
056-24385-X//19700-4-YRunout D, stamped
5C180-24572 A //HM17473-1-Y-8Runout side A, etched
5C180-24572B //HD17474-2-Y-9Runout side B, etched
2431011 A//1 ▽420 2 12Runout side C, stamped
2431011 B//1 ▽420 2 12Runout side D, 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 | Australia | EMI EME 1011/1012First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-24572/73First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5N 180-52636/37 / Imperial 1A 138-52636First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5N 180-52636/37 / Imperial 5C 180-24572First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-24 572/73First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5N 180-52636/37First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-24 572/73LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-24572/73First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Mexico | Polydor 16111 / Polydor 2302 027LP, Compilation, Special Edition | LP, Compilation, Special Edition |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-24 572/73LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 172-52 636/37LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Imperial 5C 180-52636/37LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Moving Waves are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1972 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Netherlands, Australia. One of them is Imperial 5C 180-24572/73.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 180-24572/73, 5N 180-52636/37, 5C 180-24 572/73, EME 1011/1012) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C180-24572 A //HM 17473-1-Y-8 and 5C180-24572B //HM 17474-2-Y-9. 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.
