Vinyl pressings
by Aretha Franklin · 1971
Spanish Harlem / Lean On Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 17 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 - 21311 - 9 AT/DK XA-side runout, variant 1
A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK XB-side runout, variant 1
A - 21311 -10 AT/DK XA-side runout, variant 2
A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK XB-side runout, variant 2
54551 A-21311-7 6-29-71 AT/DK ƧA-Side Runout Etching
54550 A-21423-2 6-25-'71 AT/DKB-Side Runout Etching
A-21311 LYA Side Center Label
A-21423 LYB Side Center Label
A-2311-8 6-29-71 AT/DK SRC xA Side Runout
A-2313-2 SRC 6-25-71 AT/DKB Side Runout
A-2311-8 6-29-71 AT/DK xA Side Etched
A-2313-2 6-25-71 AT/DKB Side Etched
A-21311 - 11 [MR logo] △85531 AT/DKA side, handwritten runout
A- 21423 - 5 [MR logo] △85509 AT/DKB side, handwritten runout
A-21311-MOA side, label
A-21423-MOB side, label
A-21311-7 6-29-71 AT/DK SRC(logo) XRunout side A
SA-21311-6 7-1-71 ST1APRunout side B
A-21311 SPLabel side A
ST-A-21311 SPLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Argentina | Atlantic 2091138First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Australia | Atlantic 45-10001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Brazil | ATCO Records 2164 022First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT. 2817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 033 / Atlantic 10033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10033 / Atlantic 10 033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 033 / Atlantic 10033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 033 / Atlantic 10.033First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 033 / Atlantic 10.033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 033 / Atlantic 10.033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Ireland | Atlantic 2091-138First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | Atlantic K 10033First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2817First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-1074AFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1971 | Lebanon | Atlantic 2091 138First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 0337", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 0337", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Atlantic ATL.787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Peru | Atlantic 20911387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 100337", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of Spanish Harlem / Lean On Me are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2817.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2817, 2817, 2091-138, 2091138) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 21311 - 9 AT/DK X and A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X. 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.
