Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1974
Please Mr. Postman was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 22 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.
T A+M 11689-S-T2Runout, side A, etched variation 1
T A+M 11690S-T1Runout, side B, etched variation 1
T A+M 11689-S-T1 TIIIRunout, side A, etched variation 2
T A+M 11690S-T2 TIIRunout, side B, etched variation 2
p A+M 11689S-P3A-side runout, variant 1
p A+M 11690S-P1B-side runout, variant 1
p A+M 11689S-P2A-side runout, variant 2
p A+M 11690S-P1B-side runout, variant 2
A&M 11689S-M2A-side Runout
A&M 11690S-M2B-side Runout
11689-SA-side label
11690-SB-side label
p A&M 11689S-P3A-side runout
A&M 11690S-P1B-side runout
11689-SA-side label
11690-SB-side label
11689-SA-side label
11690-SB-side label
T A+M 11689-S-T2Runout, side A, etched variation 1
T A+M 11690S-T1Runout, side B, etched variation 1
T A+M 11689-S-T1 TIIIRunout, side A, etched variation 2
T A+M 11690S-T2 TIIRunout, side B, etched variation 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records K-5752First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records K-5752First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Austria | A&M Records 13 746First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Barbados | A&M Records AMS 7141First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | Brazil | A&M Records S7AM-5127First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records AM 1646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Etched, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Etched, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records AM 1646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records AM 1646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | A&M Records 625 028 / A&M Records 625028First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | A&M Records 13 746 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | A&M Records AM 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Greece | A&M Records AM 187", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Ireland | A&M Records AMS 7141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | A&M Records AM-235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Mexico | A&M Records AM-011First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | A&M Records AM-235Ⓢ7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
53 vinyl pressings of Please Mr. Postman are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1974 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 1646-S.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1646-S, AMS 7141, AM-235Ⓢ, K-5752) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T A+M 11689-S-T2 and T A+M 11690S-T1. 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.
