Vinyl pressings
by Miroslav Vitous · 1976
Magical Shepherd 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.
11 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BS 2925 41280 A PSide A runout, etched exc. P stamped
BS 2925 41281 A PSide b runout, etched exc. P stamped
S41 ,280Side A label, in parentheses
S41 ,281Side B label, in parentheses
1T BS 2925 41280 ̷B̷ 1B B1Side A etched; final B stamped
T1 BS 2925 41281- ̷A̷ 1A ASide A etched; final A stamped
S41,280Side A label
S41,281Side B label
1 S BS 2925 41280-1BRunout, etched, side A
1 S BS 2925 41281-1ARunout, etched, side B
S41,280Label, side A
S41,281Label, side B
BS 2925 41280-1B A9 1 SSide A runout etched
BS 2925 41281-1A A4 1 SSide B runout etched
S41 ,280Side A Label
S41 ,281Side B Label
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 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10157WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10157WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 219LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2925LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of Magical Shepherd are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2925.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2925, K 56219, 36.011, WB 56 219) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS 2925 41280 A P and BS 2925 41281 A P. 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.
