Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1973
Top Of The World / Heather was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 10 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 2538S(RE-1)-P2A side deadwax - etched (variant 1)
A+M 2539S-P1B side deadwax - etched (variant 1)
A+M 2538S(RE-1)-P2A side deadwax - etched (variant 2)
A+M 2539S-P2B side deadwax - etched (variant 2)
TI A&M 2538S(RE-1)-T3Etched side A, variant 1
T A&M 2538S-T2Etched side B, variant 1
T A&M 2538S(RE-1)-T2 TISide A etched, variant 2
T A&M 2539S-T1 TIISide B etched, variant 2
A&M 3538 S-M2 ∆92631Runout A-side
A&M 2539S-M1 ∆92486Runout B-side
A&M 2538S-M1 (RE-1) MR △92631Runout A
A&M 2539S-M2 MR △92486Runout B
2538-SLabel A
2539-SLabel B
A&M CSG 2538S(RE1)-M2 DJ △92632Runout A-side, CSG-Haeco system employed
A&M 2538-M2 △92478Runout B-side, variant 1
A&M 2538-M1 △92478Runout B-side variant 2
AM1468ASide A runouts, etched
AM1468BSide B runouts, etched
AM 1468 AA side label
AM 1468 BB side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1468-SFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records 1468-sFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1468-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1468-SFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Finland | A&M Records AM-1468First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | France | A&M Records 625 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | A&M Records 6250037", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Germany | A&M Records 12 970 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | A&M Records AM 45055First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Netherlands | A&M Records 12 970 AT / A&M Records 12970 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Norway | A&M Records AMS 7086First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records AM-1468-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records 1468First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records 1468-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | A&M Records AM-1468 / A&M Records 1468-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-1468-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | US | A&M Records 1468-S7", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | A&M Records AM 1468 / A&M Records AM-1468-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records AM-1468-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Top Of The World / Heather are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong & Thailand, Canada, Finland and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-1468-S, released September 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-1468-S, AM-1468, 1468-S, 1468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M 2538S(RE-1)-P2 and A+M 2539S-P1. 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.
