Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Rich · 1974
Very Special Love Songs 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.
13 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
PAL-32531-1BSide A runout, variant 1
T\ PBL 32531-1BSide B runout, variant 1
' T\ PAL - 32531-1A A13Side A runout, variant 2
o T\ PBL 32531-1B C8Side B runout, variant 2
P AL 32531-1FSide A runout
P BL 32531-1ESide B runout
PAL-32531-1GSide A runout
PBL 32531-1DSide B runout
AL 32531Side A label
BL 32531Side B label
PAL-32531-1H 1 TVariant #1 - Side 1 (etched)
T\ PBL 32531-1B C21Variant #1 - Side 2 (etched)
P AL 32531-1G E 1Variant #2 - Side A Runout stamped
P BL 32531-1D F 1Variant #2 - Side B Runout stamped
P Q AL-32531-1B 1T A 6Side A runout
P Q BL-32531-1B 1 T D 4Side B runout
QAL 32531Side A label
QBL 32531Side B label
EPC∙S∙80031∙A1 I DStamped Runout, Side A
EPC∙S∙80031∙B1 0 ΛStamped Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Epic ELPS 3694First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Epic KE 32531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Europe | Epic EPC 80031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Epic ECPM-60First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Epic ECPM-60First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Epic KSF.7013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | Epic S EPC 80031 / Epic EPC 80031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Epic KE 32531First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Epic KE 32531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Epic KE 32531First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Epic PE 32531 / Epic KE 32531First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Epic EQ 32531First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | US | Epic EQ 32531LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | US | Epic EQ 32531First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Giant TD-1382LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Epic PE-32531LP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Very Special Love Songs are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic KE 32531.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KE 32531, PE 32531, EQ 32531, S EPC 80031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-32531-1B and T\ PBL 32531-1B. 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.
