Vinyl pressings
by Franck Pourcel · 1978
Rencontre ABBA was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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.
16550 A 21 M6 325061 2Stamped on runout side A
16550 B 21 M6 325062 2Stamped on runout side B
C 068 - 16.550 AOn center label side A
C 068 - 16.550 BOn center label side B
YAX.5580Label - Side A
YAX.5581Label - Side B
16 550 A-1 (Side 1)
16 550 B-1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Chile | EMI 5235 / EMI 32C 064-016550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Pathé 2 C 068-16550 / Pathé 2C 068 - 16.550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI 1C 066-16 550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | EMI Electrola GmbH 1C 068-16550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | EMI 14C062-16550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | EMI 14C062-16550LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | India | EMI EMCE 1050 / EMI EMCE. 1050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | EMI 3C 064-16550First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EOS-81159 / Odeon EOS-81159First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | EMI EOS-81159 / Odeon EOS-81159First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 062-16550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Peru | EMI ELD 02.21.652First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Pathé 8E 072 16550First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ(L) 5153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | EMI TWOX 1077 / EMI 0C 062-16 550First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | EMI TWOX 1077LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Mexico | Odeon SLOM-10226 / Pathé Marconi EMI 33C 062-16550LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Venezuela | EMI EMI-7621 / EMI EMI'S-7621LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Venezuela | EMI EMI-4543LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Venezuela | EMI EMI-4543LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | EMI 40 SM 9 / Reader's Digest 40 SM 9LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
24 vinyl pressings of Rencontre ABBA are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1978 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in France, UK, Chile, Germany and more. One of them is Pathé 2 C 068-16550.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2 C 068-16550, TWOX 1077, 5235, 1C 066-16 550) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 16550 A 21 M6 325061 2 and 16550 B 21 M6 325062 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.
