Vinyl pressings
by Vangelis · 1978
The Dragon was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
CRL 5013 A-1♢MB HSide A runout, etched - variant 1
CRL 5013 B-1♢MB GSide B runout, etched - variant 1
CRL 5013 A-1♢MB DSide A runout, etched - variant 2
CRL 5013 B-1♢MB LSide B runout, etched - variant 2
651 030 A ><Side A runout, etched
651 030 B ><Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Bellaphon CR 3040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Charly Records 651.030First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Charly Records CRL 5013First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Charly Records CRL 5013LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Charly Records L7-CH26 / Auvi L7-CH26LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Charly Records L7-CH26 / Auvi L7-CH26LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Oxford OX/3196 / Charly Records OX/3196LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Legends Of Music RPL-3004LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | Legends Of Music RPL-3004LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Charly Records RPL 3004LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
10 vinyl pressings of The Dragon are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Charly Records CRL 5013.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CRL 5013, CR 3040, 651.030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CRL 5013 A-1♢MB H and CRL 5013 B-1♢MB G. 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.
