Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1975
Imagine was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 4 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.
7YCE 21775-3 R 6009 A-1Run-out matrix A-side stamped/etched
7YCE 21776-3 R 6009 B-1Run-out matrix B-side stamped/etched
7YCE.21775Label A-side
7YCE.21776Label B-side
7YCE 21775-1 MP 1Side A runout, stamped variant 1
7YCE 21776-1 MM 2Side B runout, stamped variant 1
7YCE 21775-1 PL 1Side A runout, stamped variant 2
7YCE 21776-1 LO 2Side B runout, stamped variant 2
7YCE 21775-3 R 6009 A-1 WA-side runout etched
7YCE 21776-3 R 6009 B-1 WB-side runout etched
7YCE.21775A-side label
7YCE.21776B-side label
7YCE 21775-2 NICK WRun-out matrix A-side stamped/etched, variant 1
7YCE 21776-1Run-out matrix B-side stamped/etched, variant 1
7YCE.21775Label A-side
7YCE.21776Label B-side
7YCE 21775-1 Nick WRunout, side A
7YCE 21776-2Runout, side B
7YCE.21775Label, side A
7YCE.21776Label, side B
7YCE 21775-1Runout side A, variant 1
7YCE 21776-2 Nick WRunout side B, variant 1
7YCE 21775-1 1 2 1 2Runout side A, variant 2
7YCE 21776-2 Nick W 1 4 7 1Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 992First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Ireland | Apple Records R 6009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | Apple Records EAR-10880First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 006-05 992First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Japan | Apple Records EAR-10880First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Apple Records R 6009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1977 | Japan | Apple Records EAS-171257", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ireland | Apple Records R 60097", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Apple Records 1C 052-05 992 YZ12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI Electrola 1 C 052-05 992 YZ / Apple Records R 600912", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | UK | Parlophone R 60097", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Parlophone 006-20 4473 77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Apple Records 31C 006 05992Y7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Apple Records 1 C 006-05 9927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Ireland | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Ireland | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Apple Records R 60097", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Apple Records R 60097", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
31 vinyl pressings of Imagine are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Germany, Japan, Ireland. One of them is Apple Records R 6009, released October 24, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6009, 1C 006-05 992, EAR-10880) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7YCE 21775-3 R 6009 A-1 and 7YCE 21776-3 R 6009 B-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.
