Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1972
To Whom It May Concern was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 21 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.
23883 139 A//3 11 A3 3 DBSide A Stamped variant 1
23883 139 B//1 [Etched] BILBO [Stamped] B1 3 11Side B Stamped variant 1
2383139 A//3 11 3 [Etched] A3 DB [Stamped]Side A Stamped variant 2
2383139 B//1 11 3 [Etched] BILBO B1 [Stamped]Side B Stamped variant 2
2838139 A//2 12 3 DB A2Side A, Variant 1
2838139 B//2 11 1 BILBO B1Side B, Variant 1
2838139 A//3 11 6 DB A3Side A, Variant 2
2838139 B//1 11 6 BILBO B1Side B, Variant 2
ST-C-722573A AT/GP MR △ 17201-X PRRunout A, variant 1
ST-C-722574A AT/GP MR △ 17201 PRRunout B, variant 1
ST-C-722573AA AT/GP MR △ 7201 (3) PRRunout A, variant 2
ST-C-722574AA AT/GP MR △ 7201-X (2) PRRunout B, variant 2
ST-C-722573A AT/GPA Side Etched
ST-C-722574A AT/GPB Side Etched
ST-C-722573 PRlabel A-Side in brackets
ST-C-722574 PRlabel B-Side in brackets
ST-C-722573A AT/GP PR-AMVariant 1 Runout Side A etched
ST-C-722574A AT/GP PR-AMVariant 1 Runout Side B etched
ST-C-722573A AT/GP PR-AM (Ƨ)Variant 2 Runout Side A Etched
ST-C-722574A AT/GP (Ƨ) PR-AMVariant 2 Runout Side B Etched
ST-C-722573AAA-1-11 AT/GP PR DRunout A
ST-C-722574AAA-1 AT/GP PR DRunout B
ST-C-722573RILabel A
ST-C-722574RILabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Polydor 2383168First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Spin EL 34631 / Spin SEL-934631First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 139 / Polydor 2383139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2383 139LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | France | Polydor 2480 121First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | India | Polydor 2394 203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2383 139 LFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2383 139 LFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Lebanon | Polydor 2383 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Spin EL 34631First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brazil | RSO 2394 203LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Spin L-34631LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2394 203LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2394 203LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Malaysia | Dunhill 2383 139LP | LP |
| ? | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 139 / Polydor 2383.139LP, Album | LP, Album |
45 vinyl pressings of To Whom It May Concern are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Polydor 2383-139.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2383-139, SD 7012, 7012, MP 2274) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 23883 139 A//3 11 A3 3 DB and 23883 139 B//1 [Etched] BILBO [Stamped] B1 3 11. 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.
