Vinyl pressings
by Gillan · 1982
Magic was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 17 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.
V· 2238 - A4A-side runout stamped, variant 1
V· 2238 - B4B-side runout stamped, variant 1
V- 2238 - A3 ⋀A-side runout etched, variant 2
V- 2238 - B3 10 ⋀B-side runout etched, variant 2
VP2238aDisc side A
VP2238bDisc side B
VP+2238+A2 RAYS ORLAKERunout side A
VP+2238-B2 ORLAKERunout side B
A MX201924 V2238-1Stamped Side 1
A MX201925 V2238-2Stamped Side 2
204947 A-1/82S | Made in GermanyRunout Side A, stamped
204947 B-1/82S | Made in GermanyRunout Side B, stamped
S 204 947 ALabel Side A
S 204 947 BLabel Side B
204947 A-1/82 S IRunout A-side, stamped
204947 B-1/82 S IRunout B-side, stamped
S 204 947 AOn label A-side
S 204 947 BOn label B-side
V 2238 A FXRunout side A, hand etched
V 2238 B FXRunout side B, hand etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin V2238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin V 2238First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 204 947 / Virgin 204 947-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 204 947-320 / Virgin 204 947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Finland | Virgin V 2238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | Virgin 204947First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Virgin S 204 947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Virgin 2473840 / Virgin 2473 840First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Virgin 2473840 / Virgin 2473 840LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Iceland | Virgin V 2238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | Virgin V2238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Virgin VIL 12238First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6007First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Virgin VIL-6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Mexico | Virgin LAE-501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Demon Records DEMREC175LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK | Demon Music Group DEMREC1289LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Virgin 204 947-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Virgin 204 947LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 75 / Virgin V2238LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of Magic are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1982 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Europe, Finland and more. One of them is Virgin V2238, released September 12, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2238, VP 2238, 204 947, 204 947-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V· 2238 - A4 and V· 2238 - B4. 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.
