Vinyl pressings
by Tom Robinson Band · 1977
2-4-6-8 Motorway was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 16 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.
EMI 2715 A-2 1 PR BLAIRSide A runout, variant 1
EMI 2715 B-1U 1 GPSide B runout, variant 1
EMI 2715 A-2 1 GD BLAIRSide A runout, variant 2
EMI 2715 B-1U 1 GDSide B runout, variant 2
EMI 2715 A-2A-side runout, stamped
EMI 2715 B-1UB-side runout, stamped
BLAIRA-side runout, hand-etched
2 PWA-side runout, stamped
EMI 2715 A-2 LA-side runout, variant 1
EMI 2715 B-1U BlairsB-side runout, variant 1
EMI 2715 A-2 AG BlairA-side runout, variant 2
EMI 2715 B-1U RH 1B-side runout, variant 2
EMI 2715 A-2A-Side Runout, Stamped
LA-Side Runout, Stamped
BlairsA-Side Runout, Etched
EMI 2715 B-1UB-Side Runout, Stamped
EMI 2715 A-2A-Side Runout, Stamped
EMI 2715 B-1UB-Side Runout, Stamped
BLAIRA-Side Runout, Hand-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | EMI EMI-11600First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | EMI 4 C006-06570First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Brazil | EMI EMI 2715First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Canada | Harvest 4533First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Harvest PROMO4533First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | France | EMI 2C 006-06 570First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-06 570 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-06 570First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Ireland | EMI EMI 2715First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 2715First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | EMI 7C 006-06570First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4194First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Spain | EMI 10 C 006-006570 / EMI 10 C 006-006.570First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Sweden | EMI EMI 2715First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | EMI EMI 2715First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | EMI EMI 2715First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK | EMI 12EM 2812", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EM 287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 27157", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
34 vinyl pressings of 2-4-6-8 Motorway are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Netherlands, Italy and more. One of them is EMI EMI 2715, released October 7, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 2715, 4533, P-4533, 5C 006-06570) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 2715 A-2 1 PR BLAIR and EMI 2715 B-1U 1 GP. 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.
