Vinyl pressings
by Sherbet · 1976
Howzat 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.
15 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SMX48971 8A 19Side A runout, variant 1
SMX48972 8A 17Side B runout, variant 1
SMX48971 8A 11Side A runout, variant 2
SMX48972 8A 7Side B runout, variant 2
14 SMX48971 8ASide A runout, hand-etched - variant 1
10 SMX48972 8ASide B runout, hand-etched - variant 1
13 SMX48971 8ASide A runout, hand-etched - variant 2
14 SMX48972 8ASide B runout, hand-etched - variant 2
EPC · S · 81623 · A1Side A runout
EPC · S · 81623 · B1Side B runout
EPC S 81623 A1A Side Runout
EPC S 81623 B1B Side Runout
MCA 1078 W2 ◈-P-◈ ISide A runout
MCA 1079 W2 ◈-P-◈ I vSide B runout
MCA1078Side A label
MCA1079Side B label
MCA 1078Side A Label
MCA 1079*Side 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 | Australia | Infinity L-35905 / Infinity L 35905First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Infinity L-35905 / Infinity L 35905First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2226 / MCA Records MCA 2226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2226 / MCA Records MCA 2226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | Epic EPC 81623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Epic EPC 81623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Mexico | Epic LNA-17198First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Interfusion L-35905 / Interfusion L35905First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Portugal | Epic EPC 81623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Gallo GL 1882First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | EpicFirst yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | UK | Epic SEPC 81623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA 2226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA 2226 / MCA Records MCA-2226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA 2226 / MCA Records MCA-2226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Howzat are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Australia, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Infinity L-35905.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L-35905, SEPC 81623, MCA 2226, MCA-2226) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX48971 8A 19 and SMX48972 8A 17. 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.
