Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1969
Eleanor Rigby / It Ain't Fair was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 11 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.
A - 17813 - 16 LW W ATRunout, side A, etched
A - 16096 - 12 LW AT WRunout, side B, etched
A-17813-PLLabel side A
A-16096-PLLabel side B
A-16096-MOSide A Label
A-17813-MOSide B Label
A - 16096 - 1 (SRC logo) AT WRunout, Side A, etched
A- 17813 - 6 LW W AT (SRC logo)Runout, Side B, etched
A-17813 SPLabel Side A
A-16096 SPLabel SIde B
A-17813-PLLabel side A
A-16096-PLLabel side B
A-17813 SPLabel, side A
A-16096 SPLabel, side B
ST-A-17813 - 1 LW M AT [SRC logo]Side A runout
MFG. BY SPECIALTY RECORDS BACK PLATESide B runout
ST-A-17813 SPSide A label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK-3395First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Atlantic AT. 2683First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Atlantic 650 181First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Germany | Atlantic Atl. 70.406 / Atlantic ATL 70 406First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic DT 1141First year7", Mono · Mono | 7", Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Mexico | Atlantic EPA-1656First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1969 | Spain | Atlantic H 542 / Hispavox H 542First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Sweden | Atlantic ATL 70.406First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Sweden | Atlantic ATL 70.406First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Turkey | Atlantic 69514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2683First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2683First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2683First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2683First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Atlantic 45-2683First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Brazil | ATCO Records ACS 205.0247", Single | 7", Single |
| 1970 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-807", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Italy | Atlantic ATL - NP 031487", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Atlantic AT 26837", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 255 0167", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Atlantic AK-33957", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
23 vinyl pressings of Eleanor Rigby / It Ain't Fair are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1969 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2683.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2683, 584306, AK-3395, AT. 2683) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 17813 - 16 LW W AT and A - 16096 - 12 LW AT W. 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.
