Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Webb · 1977
El Mirage was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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-773837-A Atlantic Studios G.P. (PR)Side A runout, variant 1
ST-A-773838-C Atlantic Studios G.P. T.L.C. STUDIOS G.P. (PR)Side B runout, variant 1
ST-A-773837-A Atlantic Studios G.P. (PR)Side A runout, variant 2
ST-A-773838-C AT/GP Atlantic Studios G.P. (PR)PSide B runout, variant 2
ST-A-773837-AA (MR) ATLANTIC STUDIOS G. P. ATLANTIC STUDIOS G. P. Δ 22237(2) (PR)Side A runout etched, (MR), ATLANTIC STUDIOS G. P. stamped
ST-A-773838-CC @t GP ATLANTIC STUDIOS G. P. (PR) (MR) Δ 22237-X (2)Side B runout etched, ATLANTIC STUDIOS G. P., (MR) stamped
ST-A-773837-MOSide A label
ST-A-773838-MOSide B label
ST-A-773837-AAA [PR] PRCSide A Etched
ST-A-773838-CCC [PR] PRCSide B Etched
ST-A-773837-RILabel side 1
ST-A-773838-RILabel side 2
K-50370-A1 ALLEN G ∴Side A Runout Etched
K-50370-B1 1 ∴Side B Runout Etched
ST-A-773837-A (PR)Side A (etched)
ST-A-773838-C (PR)Side B (etched)
Atlantic Studios G.P.Side A/B (stamped)
Atlantic Studios G.P. T.L.C. STUDIOS G.P.Side A stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Atlantic SD 18218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18218 / Atlantic SD 18218 CFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic SD 18218 / Atlantic SD 18218 CFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Atlantic W 50370First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | UK | Atlantic K50370 / Atlantic K 50370First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Atlantic K50370LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18218LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18218First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Atlantic SD 18218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of El Mirage are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 18218.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 18218, K50370, W 50370) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-773837-A Atlantic Studios G.P. (PR) and ST-A-773838-C Atlantic Studios G.P. T.L.C. STUDIOS G.P. (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.
