Vinyl pressings
by Queen · 1980
Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 27 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.
EMC 3351 ASide A runout, variant 1
EMC 3351 B NIZK WSide B runout, variant 1
EMC 3351 A-3 4 118Side A runout, variant 2
EMC 3351 B-4 7 122 NIZK WSide B runout, variant 2
EMC 3351 A-3
EMC 3351 B-4
EMC 3351 AStamped Side A
EMC 3351 BStamped Side B
EMC 3351 A-3Runout Side A, Stamped
EMC 3351 B-4Runout Side B, Stamped
EMC 3351ALabel Side A
EMC 3351BLabel Side B
EMC 3351 A-3 6Side A runout
EMC 3351 B-4 7 NIZK W 6Side B runout
EMC 3351ASide A label
EMC 3351BSide B label
5E-518 A-1 SP BG ESR SRC 1-3 SM 1-1Side A runout, var. 1
5E-518-B SP BG ESR SRC 1-1 SM 5-1Side B runout, var. 1
5E-518 A-1 SP BG ESR SRC 1-1 SM 2-1Side A runout, var. 2
5E-518-B SP BG ESR SRC 1-1 SM 6-3Side B runout, var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 8938First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra 5E-518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | EMI Columbia 32 649LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI BOLP-464First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 64203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X5E-518 / Elektra X5E 518First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Chile | EMI EMC 3351 / EMI 32C 064-064203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 11809First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 070-64203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-64 203 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 203First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 203LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 203 / EMI Electrola 32649 6LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-64 203 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-64 203 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-64203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Parlophone QUEENLP 9 / Parlophone 50999 2 67985 1 6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Hollywood Records D000436501LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2015 | Europe | Virgin EMI Records 00602547202765LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2018 | Italy | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Japan | Virgin EMI Records / DeAGOSTINI Japan 22LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Spain | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2021 | Europe | EMI 00602507489465LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2022 | US | Hollywood Records D004064401LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Chile | Virgin EMI RecordsLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2023 | Argentina | EMILP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2024 | Italy | EMILP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On LabelLP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | South Korea | Not On Label (Queen)LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light BR-308LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3351 / EMI OC 062-64 203LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
80 vinyl pressings of Flash Gordon (Original Soundtrack Music) are listed here, from 36 countries, released between 1980 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Italy, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3351.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3351, 5E-518, 3C 064-64203, 8938) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3351 A and EMC 3351 B NIZK W. 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.
