Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1986
A Kind Of Magic was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
54 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 23 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.
QUEEN 7 A-1-1-3 1 8 D TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout A-side - variant 1
QUEEN 7 B-1-1-3 1 8 TOWNHOUSE KE DRunout B-side - variant 1
QUEEN 7 A-1-1-1-9 D TOWNHOUSE KEVRunout A-side - variant 2
QUEEN 7 B-1-1-2-1 D TOWNHOUSE KERunout B-side - variant 2
12 + QUEEN+P+7+A ORLAKESide A Hand etched
12 + QUEEN+P+7+B ORLAKESide B Hand etched
D 12 QUEEN 7 A-1-1-2-1 TOWNHOUSE KEVRun-out Side A - variant 1
D 12 QUEEN 7 B-1-1-2-2Run-out Side B - variant 1
D 12 QUEEN 7 A-1-1-1- TOWNHOUSE KEVRun-out Side A - variant 2
D 12 QUEEN 7 B-1-1-2-1Run-out Side B - variant 2
QUEEN 7 A-1-1-Q4-11 TOWNHOUSE KEVA side runout variant 1
QUEEN 7 B-1-1-Q5-2 TOWNHOUSE KEVB side runout variant 1
QUEEN 7 A-1-1-Q4-5 TOWNHOUSE KEV DA side runout variant 2
QUEEN 7 B-1-1-Q5- 6 D TOWNHOUSE KEVB side runout variant 2
QUEEN 7 A-1-1-2-x1 TOWNHOUSE KEVA side runout variant 1
QUEEN 7 B-1-1-3-x1 TOWNHOUSE KEVB side runout variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI DIF 402First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED-184First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI1721First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI-1721First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Brazil | EMI 31C 052 201119ZFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records S-75148First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5590 / EMI America B-5590First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 016 20 1116 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | EMI 2011167First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI 1567076First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | EMI 1567076First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | EMI 2011167First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI 2011167", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | France | EMI 156707612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI 1C K 060 20 119 6 / EMI 060 20 1119 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Italy | Three Hundred Records12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Peru | EMI 1019112", EP | 12", EP |
59 vinyl pressings of A Kind Of Magic are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1986 and 1995.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Benelux, Europe and more. One of them is EMI QUEEN 7, released March 17, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QUEEN 7, 12 QUEENP 7, 12QUEEN 7, 12QUEEN7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, QUEEN 7 A-1-1-3 1 8 D TOWNHOUSE KEV and QUEEN 7 B-1-1-3 1 8 TOWNHOUSE KE 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.
