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Data as of Jul 19, 2026
John Martyn – Solid Air
1973 · UK · Island Records · Vinyl LP Album
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Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Jun 9, 2026
- MMint
- $257.06
- NMNear Mint
- $230
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $175.88
- VGVery Good
- $121.76
- G+Good Plus
- $67.65
- GGood
- $40.59
- FFair
- $27.06
- PPoor
- $13.53
12 copies listed on Discogs from $36.23.
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
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
- ILPS 9226 A -1U GO STERLING 2H 2 1ILPS 9226 A -1U O STERLING 2H 2 1
- Runout — side B
- ILPS 9226 B 1 ILPS 9226 B-1U STERLING 1H 2 CRILPS 9226 B 2 EGILPS 9226 B 1 ILPS 9226 B-1U STERLING 1H 2 O
- Mastered At
- Sterling Sound
- Printed By
- MacNeill Press Ltd.
- Recorded At
- Island Studios
- Recorded At
- Sound Techniques, London
- Pressed By
- The Gramophone Co. Ltd.
Specifications
- Artist
- John Martyn
- Style
- Folk Rock
- Year
- 1973
- Label
- Island Records
- Catalog number
- ILPS 9226
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Solid Air5:43
- A2Over The Hill2:52
- A3Don't Want To Know3:00
- A4I'd Rather Be The Devil6:17
- B1Go Down Easy3:34
- B2Dreams By The Sea3:15
- B3May You Never3:40
- B4The Man In The Station3:50
- B5The Easy Blues3:19
- Engineer, Producer
- John Wood
- Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Producer
- John Martyn
About this record
The dead-wax matrix on this 1973 Island pressing reads ILPS 9226 A -1U GO STERLING 2H 2 1, identifying it as a Gramophone Co. Ltd. pressing rather than the later AREACEM variant (catalogue 8769923). The gatefold sleeve, printed by MacNeill Press Ltd. in London, carries purple-print text reading 'Love - Nuff Said' on the inside, and the pink-rim Island labels bear the Witchseason Productions logo on the right.
Community demand is nearly matched to supply: 2074 collectors want this record against 2087 who own one.
What drives its value
Condition drives the entire market here. A Mint copy commands 257.06 USD, while a VG+ example drops to 175.88 USD—a significant gap that reflects how the original pressing's surface and sleeve condition separate serious collectors from casual buyers.
The NM grade sits at 230.00 USD. Only 12 copies are currently for sale across the market, with the lowest asking price at 36.23 USD (likely a Poor or Fair grade).
The 1973 Gramophone Co. pressing is the original UK release; later AREACEM variants trade differently. With 2087 in the community have-list and 2074 in want, this record sits at near-parity between ownership and desire, suggesting steady but not explosive demand.
The 9 tracks were recorded at Island and Sound Techniques Studios in November/December 1972, and the poly-lined blue inner sleeve is original to this pressing.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number ILPS 9226 on the spine and label. The dead-wax matrix must read ILPS 9226 A -1U GO STERLING 2H 2 1 (or one of the variant B-side matrices: ILPS 9226 B 1 ILPS 9226 B-1U STERLING 1H 2 CR, ILPS 9226 B 2 EG, or ILPS 9226 A -1U O STERLING 2H 2 1) to confirm Gramophone Co. Ltd. pressing.
The label is pink-rim Island with the Witchseason Productions logo visible on the right side. The gatefold sleeve must be printed by MacNeill Press Ltd., London S.E.1, with purple-print text 'Love - Nuff Said' on the inside.
The poly-lined blue inner sleeve should be present. Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for marks and play wear, and assess the gatefold's paper stock, printing clarity, and edge wear.
The absence of a barcode confirms original 1973 UK issue.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Issued in a gatefold sleeve printed by MacNeill Press Ltd., London S.E.1 Stating in purple print on the inside: 'Love - Nuff Said'
"Pink Rim" Island labels have the Witchseason Productions logo on the right. Very similar to 8769923 but that one is an AREACEM pressing.
Poly-lined blue Island inner sleeve.
All songs Warlock Music Ltd. except A4 MCPS.
Recorded at Island and Sound Techniques Studios November/December 1972. Speedy (Neemoi Acquaye) appears courtesy of Mercury Records.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
What is the matrix code on the original 1973 Gramophone Co. pressing?
The A-side matrix reads ILPS 9226 A -1U GO STERLING 2H 2 1. The B-side variants include ILPS 9226 B 1 ILPS 9226 B-1U STERLING 1H 2 CR and ILPS 9226 B 2 EG. These codes confirm Gramophone Co. Ltd. as the pressing plant, distinguishing this from the later AREACEM variant (catalogue 8769923).
How much is a VG+ copy worth?
According to the price guide, a VG+ example is valued at 175.88 USD. This is an estimate as of the guide's most recent update. A Mint copy reaches 257.06 USD, while a VG grade drops to 121.76 USD, so condition variation is substantial on this pressing.
What is included in the original gatefold sleeve?
The gatefold was printed by MacNeill Press Ltd., London S.E.1, and features purple-print text reading 'Love - Nuff Said' on the inside. A poly-lined blue Island inner sleeve is original to this pressing. The absence of a barcode confirms the 1973 UK release date.
How many copies are currently on the market?
Only 12 copies are listed for sale across the major platforms, with the lowest asking price at 36.23 USD. This scarcity, combined with 2074 collectors in the want-list against 2087 in the have-list, suggests steady collector interest without extreme shortage.
What is the difference between this pressing and catalogue 8769923?
This ILPS 9226 pressing was made by Gramophone Co. Ltd., as confirmed by the dead-wax matrix. Catalogue 8769923 is an AREACEM pressing and trades as a distinct variant. The Gramophone Co. original typically commands higher prices due to its earlier pressing date and original gatefold design by MacNeill Press Ltd.