Vinyl pressings
by Bill Cosby · 1973
Fat Albert 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.
4 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
73143A ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
73143B W1 ◈-P-◈B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
73143A W3 ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
73143B W2 ◈-P-◈B-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
73143ASide 1 Etched
73143B W1Side 2 Etched
回-G-回Side 1 & 2 Stamped
73143 ASide 1 Label
T1 BBB 73143-A-W3 1 C1Runout Side A
T1 BBB 73143-B-W3 CRunout 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 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 6626First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-333First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-333First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-333First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-6626LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records 333-1LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records 333-1LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 6626LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| ? | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 6626LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-333LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-333LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
11 vinyl pressings of Fat Albert are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, New Zealand. One of them is MCA Records MCA-333.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-333, MAPS 6626) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 73143A ◈-P-◈ and 73143B W1 ◈-P-◈. 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.
