Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1972
Argus was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
7-LNMG-256-1L C 1 JTVariant 1, A-side runout stamped
7-LNMG-257-1L B 1 JTVariant 1, B-side runout stamped
7-LNMG-256-2L M JTVariant 2, A-side runout stamped
7-LNMG-257-2L 2 M JTVariant 2, B-side runout stamped
MG-7-13028 W-2 2Side A runout, etched
MG-7-13029 W-2 2Side B runout, etched
7-13028Side A label
7-13029◆Side B label
7-13028 E1Side A runout
7-13029 E1 2Side B runout
7-13028Side a label
7-13029Side B label
7-13028 E1 1Side A runout
7-13029 E1 1Side B runout
7-13028Side A label
7-13029✤SIde B label
7-13028 E1 2Runout Side A etched, Variant 1
7-13029 E1 1Runout Side B etched, Variant 1
7-13028 E1 2Runout Side A etched, Variant 2
7-13029 E1 2Runout Side B etched, Variant 2
7-13028 D847Side A runout, etched
7-13029 D848Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | MCA Records MCALP_600026First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | Decca DL 7-5347 / Decca DL7-5347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | MCA Records 410 003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | MCA Records 410 003 / MCA Records 410 003 UFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | MCA Records 410 003 UFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6007 / MCA Records MMPS 6007First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1972 | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55206 / Decca DL 75437First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 6007 / MCA Records MAPS.6007First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-5117First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | South Africa | MCA Records SMCA 566 / MCA Records SMCA.566First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | MCA Records MDKS 8006LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 7-5347 / Decca DL 75347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 75347 / Decca DL 7-5347First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Decca DL 7-5347 / Decca DL 75347First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2344LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-787LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 2344 / MCA Records MCA-2344LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2344LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 201 314-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 201 314 / MCA Records 201 314-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 201.314LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-2344LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | Beograd Disk LPS-1013 / MCA Records LPS-1013LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | Beograd Disk LPS-1013 / Beograd Disk LPS 1013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | Beograd Disk LPS-1013 / Beograd Disk LPS 1013LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | Beograd Disk LPS-1013 / Beograd Disk LPS 1013LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | Beograd Disk LPS-1013 / Beograd Disk LPS 1013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Europe | MCA Records 201 314 / MCA Records 201 314-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | MCA Records 201 314 / MCA Records 201 314-320LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Russia | Russian Disc R60 02137LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Decca DL 75347 / Universal Music Special Markets B0013902-01LP, Reissue, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Reissue, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Madfish SMABX1232LP, LP, 7", CD, DVD, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, LP, 7", CD, DVD, Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | Analogue Productions APP 174-45 / Decca DL 7-534712", 45 RPM, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2025 | US | Decca DL7-5347 / Decca DL 7-534712", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 2026 | Europe | MCA Records UMCLP126 / Universal Music Recordings UMCLP126LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6007LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records 201 314 / Astor Control MAPS-6007LP, Album, Etched, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Etched, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA 49LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 473-1 / MCA Records MCA 787LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records MCA 10234 / MCA Records MCL 1787LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records MCA 10234 / MCA Records MCL 1787LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201.314LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201 314-320 / MCA Records MAPS 6007LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 473-1 / MCA Records MCA 787LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 473-1 / MCA Records (MCA 787)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | MCA Records 410 003LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | France | MCA Records MCA 10234LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | MCA Records 410 003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 6.21764 AO / MCA Records MZPS 6007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
120 vinyl pressings of Argus are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1972 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is MCA Records MDKS 8006, released May 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDKS 8006, DL 7-5347, DL 75347, MAPS 6007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-LNMG-256-1L C 1 JT and 7-LNMG-257-1L B 1 JT. 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.
