Vinyl pressings
by Billy Preston · 1971
Outa-Space / I Wrote A Simple Song 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.
11 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
A+M 2241-T2 TIIIA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
A+M 2240-T2 TIIIB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
A+M 2241-T2 TIIIIIA-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
A+M 2240-T2 TIIIIIB-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
p A+M 2241-P3 1AA-Side Runout variation 1
p A+M 2240-P2B-Side Runout variation 1
A&M 2241-P3A-Side Runout variation 2
A&M 2240-P2B-Side Runout variation 2
A+M 2240-M2 [MR logo] △86999Runout side A
A+M 2241-M2 [MR logo] △86999-XRunout side B
2241Label side A
2240Label side B
A+M 2240-M2 [MR logo] △86999Runout Side A
A+M 2241-M2 [MR logo] △86999-XRunout Side B
2241Label Side A
2240Label Side B
AMS 877 A-2✳XStamped side A
AMS 877 B-2✳XStamped side B
AMS 877-ALabel side A
AMS 877-BLabel side B
A+M 2241-M2 86999-XA-Side Runout Etching
A+M 2240S-M2 86998B-Side Runout Etching
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 | Australia | A&M Records AMK-4532First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK 4532First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK 4532First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | A&M Records AMS 877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Venezuela | A&M Records 45-13.259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Barbados | A&M Records 1320First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1320First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records 1320First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records AM-1320First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records 1320First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records 1320First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Argentina | A&M Records 14997", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | A&M Records AM-13207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | A&M Records 41019 / A&M Records 41.0197", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Italy | A&M Records AM 450237", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-13207", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-13207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Ecuador | A&M Records 2200077", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Guatemala | A&M Records 13207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Outa-Space / I Wrote A Simple Song are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Barbados, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 1320, released December 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1320, AM-1320, AMS 877, AMK-4532) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 2241-T2 TIII and A+M 2240-T2 TIII. 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.
