Vinyl pressings
by Mort Shuman · 1976
Imagine... 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.
7 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
PH I 9101029 1 DA 380 . CIDIS ΛA-side, runout, stamped - variation 1
PH I 9101029 2 380 CIDIS D 1GB-side, runout, stamped - variation 1
PHI 91010 29 1 DA 380 CIDIS B 2 1A-side, runout, stamped - variation 2
PHI 9101029 2 380 CIDIS B 14 AB-side, runout, stamped - variation 2
PHI 91010 29 1 DA 380 CIDIS B3Runout, side A - variant 1
PHI 91010 29 2 380 CIDIS A6Runout, side B - variant 1
PHI 91010 29 1 DA 380 CIDIS A 3Runout, side A - variant 2
PHI 91010 29 2 380 CIDIS A 21Runout, side B - variant 2
9101-029-A-2YA Side Etching
9101-029-B-1YB Side Etching
9101 029-1Label A
9101 029-2Label B
(Side A) 9120130 - A - 1
(Side B) 9120130 - B - 1
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 | Canada | Philips 9101.029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Philips 9101 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Philips 9101 029 / Philips 9101029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Philips 9120 130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Philips FDX-247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | Philips 9120 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Spain | Philips 91 20 130First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Philips 9120 130LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Greece | Philips 9120 130LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 9101 029 / Philips 9101029LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Philips 9101 029 / Philips 9101029LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Imagine... are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in France, Canada, Greece, Japan and more. One of them is Philips 9101 029.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9101 029, 9101.029, 9120 130, FDX-247) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PH I 9101029 1 DA 380 . CIDIS Λ and PH I 9101029 2 380 CIDIS D 1G. 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.
