Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1971
Superstar 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.
12 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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 2179S-P1 PSide A Runout: Variant Etched - Last P stamped
A+M 2179S-P2 pSide A Runout (variant 3)
A+M 2180S-P2 ^ pSide B runout (variant 3)
[p] A+M 2179S-P1Side A runout, etched except [stamped, inverted], variant 4
A+M 2179S-T1 T11A side runout etched, variant 1
A+M 2180S-T2 T1B side runout etched, variant 1
A+M 2179S-T3 T1A side runout etched, variant 2
A+M 2180S-T2 T1B side runout etched, variant 2
MR (in circle)Side A and Side B (Stamped)
A+M 2179S-M2 △85891Side A Runout (Etched)
A+M 2180S-M2 △85891-XSide A Runout (Etched)
(2179-S)Side A Label
A+M 2179S-M1 (MR) △85891Runout A, variation 1
A+M 2180S-M2 (MR) △85891-XRunout B, variation 1
A&M 2179S-M2 (MR) △85891Runout A, variation 2
A+M 2180S-M2 (MR) △85891-XRunout B, variation 2
A+M 2179-M2 MR △85890Runout side A, variant 1
A+M 2180-M2 MR △85890-XRunout side B, variant 1
A&M 2179-M3Runout side A, variant 2
A&M 2180-M3Runout 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.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Barbados | A&M Records 1289-SFirst year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1289-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | A&M Records 10 455 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK 4392First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK 4392First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records 1289First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records AM-1289First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records 1289-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records AM-1289 / A&M Records 1289-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | Venezuela | A&M Records 12.232First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records AM 1289-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records AM-1289First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | Panama | A&M Records 1289-S7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | South Africa | A&M Records AMS 5937", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records 1289-S / A&M Records AM-12897", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-12897", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | France | A&M Records 12897", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Carpenters) 12897", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | A&M Records 12897", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Superstar are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1971 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Barbados, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records AM 1289-S, released August 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM 1289-S, AM-1289, 1289-S, 1289) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 2179S-P1 P and A+M 2179S-P2 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.
