Vinyl pressings
by B.W. Stevenson · 1973
My Maria was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
APL 1-0088 A-2̸1S HRunout A variant 1
APL 1-0088-B2̸S̸1S H TMLRunout B variant 1
APL 1-0088 A-1S HRunout A variant 2
APL 1-0088 B-2S HRunout B variant 2
APL 1-0088 A2SA side etched, variant 1
APL 1-0088-B2SB side etched, variant 1
APL 1-0088 A-2̶ S 1 I A2A side etched [exc. 1 I A2], variant 2
APL 1-0088-B-2̶S̶ 1S 1 I A2B side etched [exc. 1 I A2], variant 2
APL1-0088 A TG.Side A runout
APL1-0088 B TG.Side B runout
APL1-0088-ASide A label
APL1-0088-BSide B label
APL 1-0088-A ℗ 1973 Manufactured in GermanyRunout A Stamped
APL 1-0088-B ℗ 1973 Manufactured in GermanyRunout A Stamped
APL1-0088-ALabel Side A
APL1-0088-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-0088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.4041First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor APL1-0088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor APL1-0088 (LSP)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA RCA-6172First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | RCA APL1-0088 / RCA Victor APL1-0088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Taiwan | Pioneer PRC-5372LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | RCA APL1-0088LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Pickwick ACL-7073 / Camden ACL-7073LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of My Maria are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor APL1-0088.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-0088, 104.4041, APL1-0088 (LSP), RCA-6172) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL 1-0088 A-2̸1S H and APL 1-0088-B2̸S̸1S H TML. 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.
