Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Rich · 1973
The Most Beautiful Girl 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.
20 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ZSS 158664-1AA side runout, variant 1
ZSS 158665-1AB Side runout, variant 1
ZSS158664-1LA side runout, stamped, variant 2
ZSS-158665-1DB side runout, etched, variant 2
T ZSS 158664 1CRunout side A variation 1
T ZSS-158665-1FRunout side B variation 1
T1 ZSS 158664-1BRunout side A variation 2
T ZSS-158665-1ERunout side B variation 2
ZSS 158664-1E ssssRunout side A variation 1
ZSS-158665-1CsRunout side B variation 1
ZSS-158664-1D sRunout side A variation 2
ZSS-158665-1B s111Runout side B variation 2
ZS [S 158664-1J SRC]Runout, Side A, Etched, [stamped]
ZS [S-158665-1G] SPRunout, Side B, Etched, [stamped]
ZSS 158664Label Side A
ZSS 158665Label Side B
ZSS158664-1K PA-side runout, stamped
ZSS158665-1JB-side runout, stamped
ZSS 158664A-side label
ZSS 158665B-side label
ZSP-158663-1AMono
ZSS 158664-1CStereo
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 | Unknown | Epic ES-139First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | Epic ES139First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Brazil | Epic 66.231First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic 5-11040First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Epic 5-11040First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Epic S EPC 1897First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | Epic Catolag # 5-11040First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Epic BAC 461481First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | CBS BAC 461481First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Philippines | Epic 5-11040First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Rhodesia | Epic EN.3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Spain | Epic EPC 1897First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Epic S EPC 1897First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Epic S EPC 1897First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Epic 5-11040First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of The Most Beautiful Girl are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1973 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Epic 5-11040.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5-11040, ES-139, S EPC 1897, ES139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 158664-1A and ZSS 158665-1A. 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.
