Vinyl pressings
by John Lennon · 1988
Imagine / Jealous Guy was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
R 6199 A-1-1-3 DSide A stamped runout (variant 1)
R 6199 B-1-1-3 DSide B stamped runout (variant 1)
R 6199 A-1-1-3 DSide A stamped runout (variant 2)
R 6199 B-1-1-8 DSide B stamped runout (variant 2)
RP 6199 A1A-side
RP 6199 B1B-side
R 6199 A-1-1-Q2 DSide A stamped runout
R 6199 B-1-1-Q2 DSide B stamped runout
12R 6199ALabel side A
12R 6199BLabel side B
A 2182ASide A label
A 2182BSide B label
A2182 ASide 1
A2182 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 060- 20 4154 6 / EMI 060-20 4154 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 006- 20 4154 7 / Parlophone 006/ 20 4154 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 016 20 3089 7First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 006- 20 4154 7 / Parlophone 006/ 20 4154 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | Parlophone K 060 20 3090 6First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2030897First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2030897First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Parlophone 2030906First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone 12R 6199First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone R 6199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone RP 6199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone R 6199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australia | Parlophone A 2182First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | Parlophone A 2182First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Imagine / Jealous Guy are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Parlophone R 6199, released November 28, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6199, RP 6199, 12R 6199, A 2182) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 6199 A-1-1-3 D and R 6199 B-1-1-3 D. 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.
