Vinyl pressings
by Wild Horses · 1980
The First Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
EMC 3326 A-2U 7 SA 1Side A runout variant 1
EMC 3326 B-1U 8 SA 1Side B runout variant 1
EMC 3326 A-2U 6 SA 1Side A runout variant 2
EMC 3326 B-1U SA 1Side B runout variant 2
EMC 3326 A-2U SASide A runout
EMC 3326 B-1U SA GSide B runout
EMC 3326ASide 1 Runout - Stamped
EMC 3326BSide 2 Runout - Stamped
M6 332378 2 7247 A 21Stamped Side A
M6 332379 2 7247 B 21Stamped Side B
062 - 07247 - A // 43947 -1YSide 1 stamped
062 - 07247 - B // 43948 -1YSide 2 stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | EMI EMC.3326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 070-07247 / EMI 2C070-07.247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 062-07247First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Sweden | EMI 7C 062-07247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMC 3326First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMC 3326 / EMI OC 062-07 247First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 247 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 247LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 247 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 247LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81315LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81315LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3326LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of The First Album are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3326, released April 14, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3326, EMC.3326, 2C 070-07247, 1A 062-07247) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3326 A-2U 7 SA 1 and EMC 3326 B-1U 8 SA 1. 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.
