Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1984
Real To Reel was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
EG2603031 A-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side A, Variant 1
EG2603031 B-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side B, Variant 1
E▓G2603031 A-2U-1-1-2 TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side A, Variant 2
E▓G2603031 B-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side B, Variant 2
E▓G2603031 A-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side A
E▓G2603031 B-2U-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side B
E▓G2603031 A-2U-1-2-0 TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side A (Variant 2)
E▓G2603031 B-1U-1-1 I TOWNHOUSERunout Stamp Side B (Variant 2)
EG+2603036-A ORLAKE PenthouseSide A runout
EG+2603036-B ORLAKE PenthouseSide B runout
TOWNHOUSE E G2603031 A-2U-1-2-0SIDE1
TOWNHOUSE E G2603031 B-1U-1-I ISIDE2
EG 2603031 A-2U-1-2-24 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, stamped variant 1
EG 260 3031 B-1U-1-2-XXTOWNHOUSERunout side B, stamped variant 1
EG 2603031 A-2U-1-2-0 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, stamped variant 2
EG 260 3031 B-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, stamped variant 2
2603031-A2+CSide A runout stamped, variant 1
2603031-B2=CSide B runout stamped, variant 1
2603031-A1+CSide A runout stamped, variant 2
2603031-B1+CSide B runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 81 2603031 / EMI 8375First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SQ 6516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SN 66174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | EMI 2603031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI 062-2603031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Portrait EG 26 0303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 54 2603031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI EMS-63038First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2603031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMCJL 2603031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 066 26 0303 1 / EMI 066-2603031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 066 26 0303 1 / EMI 056-2603031First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Taiwan | Taiwan Nova Records NOVA 74031LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1984 | UK | EMI JESTP 1 / EMI EG 26 0303 6First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EG 2603031 / EMI JEST 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 1C 038-15 7623 1 / EMI Electrola 1C 038-15 7623 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | EMI 1C 038-15 7623 1 / EMI 038 15 7623 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | EMI 066 26 0303 1 / EMI 056-2603031LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Real To Reel are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1984 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Ireland, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI EG 2603031, released November 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EG 2603031, JESTP 1, EG 2603031 JEST 1, 1C 038-26 0303 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EG2603031 A-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE and EG2603031 B-2U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
