Vinyl pressings
by Pilot · 1974
Magic was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 18 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.
EMI 2217 A-1 OR 2Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
EMI 2217 B-1 RH 2Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
EMI 2217 A-1 HD 3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
EMI 2217 B-1 PM 1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
EMI 2217ALabel side A
EMI 2217BLabel side B
Wly S45-X48907-F2A side deadwax - scribed
Wly S45-X48908-F2B side deadwax - scribed
S45-X48907-F2#3 Wly ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout, etched, variant 1
S45-X48908-F8 ─◁B-side runout, etched, variant 1
S45-X48907-F2#2 Wly ─◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout, etched, variant 2
S45-X48908-F2 ─◁B-side runout, etched, variant 2
48907 3992 F4 #1 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLA side runout etch, exc 0 MASTERED... stamp
X48908 3992 F9 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0 KPB side runout etch, exc MASTERED... 0 stamp
S45-X48907A side label
S45-X48908B side label
S-45-48707-F-3 3 ✳ MASTERED BY CAPITOL 2 WLYSide A Runout Etched / [3 ✳ Mastered By Capitol] Stamped, variant 1
S-45-48708-F-10 1 ✳ MASTERED BY CAPITOL 2Side B Runout Etched / [1 ✳ Mastered By Capitol] Stamped, variant 1
S-45-48707-F-3• ✳ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WLYSide A, variant 2
S-45-48708-F-3• 2 ✳ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WLYSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | EMI EMI-10670First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | EMI 4C 006-05742First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | EMI EMI-4046First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | EMI 3992First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Denmark | EMI 006-05742 / EMI 6C 006 05742First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-05 742 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05 742First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-05 742 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05 742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | EMI 05742First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Greece | EMI EMI 2217First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Guatemala | EMI 482First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | EMI EMI 2217First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMR-10689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMR-10689First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-05 742 / EMI 5C 006-05742First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-05 742 / EMI 5C 006-05742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Hungary | Pepita SPS 701837" | 7" |
36 vinyl pressings of Magic are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2217.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2217, 3992, P-3992, EMI-10670) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2217 A-1 OR 2 and EMI 2217 B-1 RH 2. 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.
