Vinyl pressings
by Jean-Luc Ponty · 1976
Imaginary Voyage was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ST-A-763725 AA @tGP [Monarch Logo] 21557 (3) (PR)Side A Runout
ST-A-763726 AA @tGP [Monarch Logo] 21557-X (1) (PR)Side B Runout
ST-A-763725-MOSide A Label
ST-A-763726-MOSide B Label
ST-A-763725 A @t.GP (PR)Etched Side A, Variant 1
ST-A-763726 A @t.GP (PR)Etched Side B, Variant 1
ST-A-763725-B E7 1-1 PREtched Side One, Variant 2
ST-A-763726-B E7 1-1 PREtched Side Two, Variant 2
ST-A-763725-RISide A Label
ST-A-763726-RISide B Label
ST-A-763725 AAA @t.GP (PR)Side A label - Variant 1 etched
ST-A-763726 AAA @t.GP (PR)Side B label - Variant 1 etched
K 50317 A1 ARUN DSide A stamped / hand etched, variant 1
K 50317 B1 ASide B stamped, variant 1
K 50317 A1 7 ARUN ASide A stamped / hand etched, variant 2
K 50317 B1 8 ASide B stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Atlantic 208656First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic 50.317 / Atlantic 50317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Atlantic 50 317 / Atlantic 50.317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317 / Atlantic (SD 18 195)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 50317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Atlantic SD 18195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 610.7010LP | LP |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 317LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317 / Atlantic (SD 18 195)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 317 / Atlantic (SD 18 195)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 50 317 / Atlantic SD 18195LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
40 vinyl pressings of Imaginary Voyage are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1976 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18195, released November 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18195, K 50317, 208656, 50.317) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-763725 AA @tGP [Monarch Logo] 21557 (3) (PR) and ST-A-763726 AA @tGP [Monarch Logo] 21557-X (1) (PR). 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.
