VinylAI 
Data as of Aug 31, 2026
Jean-Michel Jarre – Magnetic Fields
1981 · Germany · Polydor · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Aug 31, 2026
- MMint
- $19.28
- NMNear Mint
- $17.25
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $13.19
- VGVery Good
- $9.13
- G+Good Plus
- $5.07
- GGood
- $3.04
- FFair
- $2.03
- PPoor
- $1.01
45 copies listed on Discogs from $1.16.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $10ref VA-VWHJ2Media VG · Very GoodSleeve VG🇩🇪 Ships from Germany — Hülle nicht originanal plattbespielin n Ordnung
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- 2344 166 S1 YD JMJARRE A D10 1 A F2344 166 S 1=2 2 Y.D - J M JARRE A D II2344 166 S 1=2 1 CC Y.D J M JARRE A D II2344 166 S 1=2 2 Y.D BG J.M.JARRE A D II2344 166 S1=2 FT Y.D JMJARRE A DII2344 166 S1=2 1 II Y.D JMJARRE A DII2344 166 S1 YD JMJARRE A DI0 4 CF2344 166 S1 YD JMJARRE A D I0 1 A U
- Runout — side B
- 2344 166 S2 2 Y.D. B 1 J.M.JARRE B D102344 166 S 2=2 2 AW YD. J.M.JARRE B D II2344 166 S 2=2 4 YD. DH J.M.JARRE B D II2344 166 S 2=2 1 YD. BG J.M.JARRE B D II2344 166 S2 Y.D. CV J.M.JARRE B DI02344 166 S2 1 Y.D. A II J.M.JARRE B DI02344 166 S2=2 YD. J.M.JARRE A DII2344 166 S2=2 1 AC Y.D. J.M.JARRE B DII
- Rights society
- GEMA
- Label Code
- LC 0309
- Other
- PRS Hannover(Embossed stamp on back cover)
- Record Company
- Deutsche Grammophon GmbH
- Recorded At
- Croissy Studio
- Mixed At
- Croissy Studio
- Mastered At
- Dyam
- Printed By
- PRS Hannover
Specifications
- Artist
- Jean-Michel Jarre
- Genre
- Electronic
- Style
- Synth-pop, Ambient
- Year
- 1981
- Label
- Polydor, Disques Dreyfus
- Catalog number
- 2344 166
- Country
- Germany
Tracklist
- AMagnetic Fields Part 118:07
- B1Magnetic Fields Part 23:50
- B2Magnetic Fields Part 34:41
- B3Magnetic Fields Part 46:07
- B4Magnetic Fields Part 5 (The Last Rumba)3:28
- Producer, Composed By
- Jean-Michel Jarre
- Mastered By
- Yves Delaunay
- Recorded By [Assistant], Mixed By [Assistant]
- Patrick Foulon
- Recorded By [Assistant], Mixed By [Assistant]
- Pierre Mourey
- Recorded By, Mixed By
- Jean-Michel Jarre
- Recorded By, Mixed By
- Jean-Pierre Janiaud
About this record
The dead-wax matrix on this 1981 German pressing carries hand-etched variations across all four sides — a hallmark of Polydor's Hannover plant work — making runout inspection the fastest way to confirm authenticity. Red labels with the black Polydor logo and the embossed 'PRS Hannover' stamp on the back cover distinguish this original from later European reissues and the Epic CD of 1997.
What drives its value
This pressing sits in a crowded secondary market: 45 copies are listed for sale, yet only 127 collectors actively want it against 945 who already own one, signaling stable but not scarce supply. Price_guide values range from 19.28 USD in Mint condition down to 1.01 USD in Poor condition; a VG+ copy is estimated at 13.19 USD, while the floor listing sits at 1.16 USD, indicating some wear-heavy stock.
The 1981 German original commands a modest premium over the 2015 Disques Dreyfus reissue and the 1997 Epic CD, but the spread reflects condition sensitivity rather than pressing rarity. Community ratings (4.09 out of 85 votes) suggest consistent collector interest in the album itself, not the pressing variant.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number 2344 166 on both the sleeve and label, paired with the red Polydor label and black logo. The back cover must carry the embossed 'PRS Hannover' stamp and credit 'Polydor International GmbH' with the Hannover address.
Examine the four runout strings: side one should read '2344 166 S1 YD JMJARRE A D10 1 A F' or '2344 166 S 1=2 2 Y.D - J M JARRE A D II'; side two, '2344 166 S2 2 Y.D. B 1 J.M.JARRE B D10' or '2344 166 S 2=2 2 AW YD.
J.M.JARRE B D II'. All runouts are hand-etched, not stamped, so expect slight variation in depth and angle.
Grade by surface noise (silent in Mint, light hiss in VG+), groove wear (none visible in NM, slight in VG+), and label condition (no wear in M, minor scuffing in VG+).
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Red labels with black Polydor logo edition. Embossed "PRS Hannover" stamp on back cover.
℗ 1981 Polydor International GmbH Made in West Germany All titles published by Intersong
[Front cover] This release also exists with a sticker covering the catalog number and modifying it to a "Club-Edition" with the catalog number of
[Back cover] Disques Dreyfus ℗ 1981 Polydor International GmbH Aus dem Hause Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft mbH. Hohe Bleichen 14-16. 2000 Hamburg 36
[Inner sleeve (2. Credits)] Thanks to M. Geiss, MCI, Music Land, RSF, Fairlight, Oberheim & MDB
[Additional runout information:] Runouts are hand-etched except for the separated stampers, like '1 A F', '2', '2 AW', '1 AC', etc.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
How do I tell this 1981 German pressing from the 2015 reissue?
The original carries the red Polydor label with black logo and the embossed 'PRS Hannover' stamp on the back cover. The 2015 reissue, catalogued 88843024701 on Disques Dreyfus, uses modern label design and lacks the Hannover mark. Check the runout string: this pressing's dead wax is hand-etched with codes like 'YD JMJARRE A D10' or 'AW YD.', not machine-stamped.
What is a VG+ copy of this pressing worth?
According to the price_guide, a VG+ copy is estimated at 13.19 USD. This represents a record with minimal surface noise, no groove wear, and labels showing only light handling marks. The estimate is a guide figure; actual sales depend on seller reputation and buyer negotiation.
Why is there such a gap between the lowest listing (1.16 USD) and the Mint estimate (19.28 USD)?
The 1.16 USD floor price reflects heavily played or damaged stock — likely Poor or Fair grade — while the 19.28 USD Mint estimate assumes an unplayed, pristine copy with no surface noise, label wear, or groove damage. With 45 copies for sale, condition variation is wide; most active listings cluster in the VG to VG+ range (9.13 to 13.19 USD).
Is the hand-etched runout a sign of a rare pressing?
No. Hand-etched runouts were standard practice at Polydor's Hannover plant in 1981, not a rarity marker. The 945 collectors who own this pressing confirm it is common enough. The hand-etching does make runout inspection reliable for authentication — each side's matrix string is unique and difficult to counterfeit — but commonality is high.
Does the Club-Edition variant with a sticker over the catalogue number exist in this pressing?
Yes, according to the release notes, a Club-Edition variant exists with a sticker covering the original catalogue number on the front cover. This variant is not separately tracked in the price_guide, so its value is unknown. If you own one, check whether the underlying label and runout match the standard 2344 166 specifications; if so, the sticker is a post-production modification, not a factory variant.