Vinyl pressings
by Steve Harley · 1979
The Candidate was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
YAX 5654 - 2 A GRunout, A-side, stamped Variant 1
Etching of a pair of glassesRunout, A-side, etched Variant 1
YAX 5655 - 1 GRunout, B-side, stamped Variant 1
YAX 5654 - 2 A M 1Runout, A-side, stamped Variant 2
YAX 5654Side 1 Etched Runout
YAX 5655-2Side 2 Etched Runout
07134-A1Runout Side 1
07134-B1Runout Side 2
YAX 5654Runout side 1
YAX 5655Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | EMI EMC-2700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 134 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Greece | EMI 14C 062-07134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | EMI EMC 3311First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062-07134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | EMI 8E 074 07134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | EMI 7C 062-07 134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | EMI 10C 064-007.134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | EMI EMC 3311First yearLP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | EMI EMC 3311 / EMI 0C 062 07 134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of The Candidate are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3311.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3311, EMC-2700, 1C 064-07 134, 14C 062-07134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 5654 - 2 A G and Etching of a pair of glasses. 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.
