US
July 1967- Label and catalog number
- Mala MALA 565
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
8163 LWSide A Runout
8164 LWSide B Runout
8163Side A Label
8164Side B Label
Vinyl pressings
The Letter
by Box Tops · 1967
73 pressings28 countriesRock & RollRock
The Letter was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Letter
44 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 23 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.
US
July 1967- Label and catalog number
- Mala MALA 565
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Styrene · Bestway Pressing
- Runout / matrix
8163 LW BA-Side Runout Etching
8164 LWB-Side Runout Etching
8163A-Side Label
8164B-Side Label
US
July 1967- Label and catalog number
- Mala 565
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Styrene
- Runout / matrix
8163 MR LW Δ67304A-side - runout
8164 MR LW Δ67304-XB-side - runout
8163A-side - label
8164B-side - label
US
July 1967- Label and catalog number
- Mala MALA 565
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono
- Runout / matrix
8163 LWSide A runout
8164 LWSide B runout
8163Side A label
8164Side B label
US
1967- Label and catalog number
- Mala MALA 565
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene
- Runout / matrix
8163 LW BA-Side Runout Etching
8164 LWB-Side Runout Etching
8163A-Side Label
8164B-Side Label
UK
1967- Label and catalog number
- Stateside SS 2044
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · 4 Prong
- Runout / matrix
45 KR 4995-1Stamped Side A
45 KR 4996-1Stamped Side B
45 KR 4995-1 RO KTStamped Side A, variant 2
45 KR 4996-1 AM KT 1Stamped Side B, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 73 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s54 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Argentina | Odeon Pops 8008First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | Australia | Stateside OSS-281First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Belgium | Stateside RSS 112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Brazil | Odeon 7-BT-07First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1967 | Canada | Bell Records MALA 565XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Denmark | Stateside SS 2044First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1967 | Denmark | Stateside SS 2044First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1967 | Denmark | Stateside SS 2044First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1967 | Germany | CBS 3071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Germany | CBS 3071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Germany | CBS 3071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Greece | Bell Records 7507First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1967 | Greece | Stateside GSS 197First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Greece | Bell Records 75077", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| 1967 | India | Stateside 45 SS 2044First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
1970s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Sphere Sound Records SSR 77,0017", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1970 | US | Sphere Sound Records SSR 77,0017", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene |
| 1970 | USA & Canada | Flashback Records 397" | 7" |
Year unknown16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Bell Records QGT 080X7", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Flashback Records FLB 397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | Bell Records QGT 080X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Bell Records QGT 080X7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Bell Records TOP 0607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Lebanon | Stateside CSS 112547", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Turkey | Stateside SS 40017", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Flashback Records AFS-9176 / Arista AFS-91767", Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB 397", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB 397", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Flashback Records No. 397" | 7" |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB 397", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB-397", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB 397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Flashback Records FLB 397", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
Tracklist
- AThe Letter1:58
- BHappy Times1:42
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Letter are there?
73 vinyl pressings of The Letter are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1967 and 1970.
When was The Letter first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Mala MALA 565, released July 1967.
How do I tell if my copy of The Letter is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MALA 565, 565, SS 2044, OSS-281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 8163 LW and 8164 LW. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Letter on vinyl worth?
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.
