Vinyl pressings
by Gabor Szabo · 1970
Magical Connection was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year. 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.
5055-BTS-1-8823-F-1 1 ✻Side A runout, variant 1
BTS-23-5056-RE-1 D-1 1 ✻ side-2Side B runout, variant 1
BTS-23 5055 RE-1 • D-3 1 ✻ side-1Side A runout, variant 2
BTS-23-5056-RE-1• D-1 1 ✻ side-2Side B runout, variant 2
5055 BTS 23 - 1B TSide A runout etched, T stamped
5056 BTS 23 - 1A TSide B runout etched, T stamped
BTS 23 (5055)Side A label
BTS 23 (5056)Side B label
BTS-23 5055 RE-1 • D-3 1 ✻ side-1Side 1 runout
5056-BTS-2-8823-F-1• 1 ✻Side 2 runout
BTS 1-8823Side A label
BTS 2-8823Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 8823 / Blue Thumb Records BTS-8823First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 23First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 8823 / Blue Thumb Records BTS-8823First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SR-600LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SR-600LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 23LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records SKA0-8-8823LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 23LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 23LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YZ-8051-AULP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YZ-8051-AULP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Magical Connection are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1970 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 8823.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 8823, BTS 23) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5055-BTS-1-8823-F-1 1 ✻ and BTS-23-5056-RE-1 D-1 1 ✻ side-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.
