Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1974
Emma was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 18 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.
YRAK 168 A-1 A 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
YRAK 168 B-1 GL 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
YRAK 168 A-1 A M M G 4Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
YRAK 168 B-1 P M G 6Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
BELL-1982-SSide A runout, scribed
BELL-1983Side B runout, scribed
STERLINGSide A runout, stamped
ST-BT-30164-MOLabe Side A
ST-BT-29616-MOLabe Side B
ST-BT-30164-5 MR △96507Runout, Side A Etched
ST-BT 29616-5 MR △96508Runout, Side B Etched
ST-BT-30164-PLLabe Side A
ST-BT-29616-PLLabe Side B
ST-BT-30164-4 PPRunout, Side A Etched
ST-BT29616-4 PPRunout, Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Barbados | Parlophone RAK 168First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4 C 006-95260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Odeon S7I-3375First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | RAK 2C 008 - 95.260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RAK 2C 008 - 95.260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-95 260First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-95 260First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 260First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-95 260First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Greece | Columbia SCMG 538First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-95260 / Columbia 3C 006-95260First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Japan | Odeon EOR-10539First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Japan | RAK ERR-10539First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-95260 / RAK 5C 006-95 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | New Zealand | RAK RAK.168First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-95 2607", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 260 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 2607", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | RAK RAK 1687", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Big Tree Records BT-160317", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Big Tree Records BT-160317", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
45 vinyl pressings of Emma are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1974 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is RAK RAK 168, released March 8, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 168, Bell 45,466, BT-16031, RAK-10455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 168 A-1 A 1 and YRAK 168 B-1 GL 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.
