Vinyl pressings
by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band · 1974
The Impossible Dream 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.
21 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 12 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.
6360112 1Y//1 420 1 21 PORKYSide A runout, variant 1
6360112 2Y//1 420 11 9 MARTY - PECKOSide B runout, variant 1
6360112 1Y//1 420 13 5 PORKYSide A runout, variant 2
6360112 2Y//1 420 11 7 MARTY - PECKOSide B runout, variant 2
6360112 1Y//2 420 04 1 37 BILBOVariant 1, side A, runout
6360112 2Y//1 420 13 2 MARTY - PECKOVariant 1, side B, runout
6360112 1Y//2 420 04 12 15 BILBOVariant 2, side A, runout
6360112 2Y//1 420 12 16 MARTY - PECKOVariant 2, side B, runout
6360112 1Y//2 420 04 1 2 2 0 BILBORunout Side A
6360112 2 Y//*2 1 420 05 11 4Runout Side B
6360 112.1Label Side A
6360 112.2Label Side B
VEL-2000-A-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K. VVariant 1, Side A Runout
VEL-2000-B-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K. VVariant 1, Side B Runout
VEL-2000-A-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K. A 3Variant 2, Side A Runout
VEL-2000-B-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K. AVariant 2, Side B Runout
VEL-2000-A-CT1 1T MASTERDISK G.K.A-side runout, variant 1
VEL-2000-B-CT2 1T MASTERDISK G.K.B-side runout, variant 1
VEL-2000-A-CT2 1T MASTERDISK G.K. AA-side runout, variant 2
VEL-2000-B-CT2 T1 MASTERDISK G.K. BB-side runout, variant 2
VEL-2000-A-CP3side 1, runout
VEL-2000-B-CP3side 2, runout
(MASTERDISK is stamped, G.K. etched): MASTERDISK G.K.Side 1 and 2 runout
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 | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | Vertigo 6360 112 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-6024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Vertigo 63 60 112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Vertigo 6360 112First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Vertigo VEL-2000First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Vertigo VEL-2000First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | Sahara Records SAH 116LP, Reissue, Album | LP, Reissue, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Samurai Records SAH 116LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Japan | SAMPLE RJ-6024-PLP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Vertigo 6360 112LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of The Impossible Dream are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1974 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Yugoslavia, Australia and more. One of them is Vertigo 6360 112, released October 4, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6360 112, VEL-2000, LP 5859, 6360 112 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6360112 1Y//1 420 1 21 PORKY and 6360112 2Y//1 420 11 9 MARTY - PECKO. 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.
