Vinyl pressings
by The Shadows · 1976
Rarities 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.
5 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
NUT 2 A-1 G G 1Side A runout, stamped
NUT 2 B-2 R D 2Side B runout, stamped
HTMSide A & B runout, etched
NUT 2 A-1 RD 1 HTMSide A runout, variant 1
NUT 2 ASide A runout, stamped
NUT 2 BSide B runout, stamped
HTMSide A & B runout, etched
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 | EMI 6302First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | EMI 2J056-06250 / EMI 2J 056-06250First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Greece | EMI 2J056-06250LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | New Zealand | EMI NUT 2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Sweden | EMI 7C 054-06250First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | EMI NUT 2 / EMI 0C 056-06 250First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | EMI NUT 2 / EMI 0C 056-06 250LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Axis AXIS-6302LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Crystal 054 EMD 06 250 / Emidisc 054-EMD-06 250LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | EMI 5C 038.06250 / EMI 5C 038-06250LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | EMI 8E 064-06 250LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | EMI NUT 2 / EMI 0C 056-06 250LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of Rarities are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Australia, Greece, New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI NUT 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NUT 2, 6302, 2J056-06250, 7C 054-06250) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NUT 2 A-1 G G 1 and NUT 2 B-2 R D 2. 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.
