Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1975
Solitaire was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 15 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.
TI A+M 11840S-T1Runout Side A, Etched
T A+M 11841S-T2Runout Side B, Etched
11840-SLabel Side A
11841-SLabel Side B
A&M 11840 S-P3A-side runout, variant 1
A&M 11841 S-P1B-side runout, variant 1
11840-SA-side label
11841-SB-side label
11840-SLabel Side A
11841-SLabel Side B
A&M CSG 11840 (STEREO)-S3Runout, CSG-Haeco process
A&M 11840(MONO)-S2Runout
AMS∙7187∙A2 22 ΛStamped runout, side A
AMS∙7187∙B2 11 DStamped runout, side B
AMS•7187•A2 3 ΛRunout, stamped, side A
AMS•7187•B2 1 ΛRunout, stamped, side B
AMS 7187-ALabel, side A
AMS 7187-BLabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Argentina | A&M Records 1250First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Australia | A&M Records K-6074First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Brazil | A&M Records S7AM-5153First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1721-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1721-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1721-S / A&M Records AM-1721First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | France | A&M Records 625041First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Germany | A&M Records 16 294 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | A&M Records 16 294 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Guatemala | A&M Records 1721-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Ireland | A&M Records AMS 7187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | A&M Records AM-255(S)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Mexico | A&M Records AM-031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | New Zealand | A&M Records K6074First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1159First year7", Single | 7", Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Solitaire are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1975 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is A&M Records AM 1721.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM 1721, 1721-S, AMS 7187, AMS 7178) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI A+M 11840S-T1 and T A+M 11841S-T2. 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.
