Vinyl pressings
by Crosby, Stills & Nash · 1969
Marrakesh Express / Helplessly Hoping was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 17 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 - 16642 - 1 LW W ATRun-out Side A, etched
A - 16648 - 12 LW W ATRun-out Side B, etched
A-16642-PLA-Side Label
A-16648-PLB-Side Label
AT SRC A-16642 - 1 LW wA-Side Runout Etching
AT SRC A-16648 - 2 LW wB-Side Runout Etching
AT A-16642 - 1A-Side Runout Stamped
AT A-16642 - 2B-Side Runout Stamped
A-16642-MOLabel A
A-16648-MOLabel B
AT SRC A-16642 - 1 LW wA-Side Runout Etching
AT SRC A-16648 - 2 LW wB-Side Runout Etching
A-16642 SPA-Side Label
A-16648 SPB-Side Label
A-16642-1 LW W ATSide A runout
A-16648-12 LW W ATSide B runout
A-16642-PLSide A label
A-16648-PLSide B label
584283 A // 2Runout side A, stamped
584283 B // 2Runout side B, stamped
584283ALabel side A
584283BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK-3174First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2652XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2652XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | France | Atlantic 650175 / Atlantic 650.175First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Atlantic 650.1757", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1969 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 70.392First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Greece | Atlantic 255 013First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-NP 03130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-NP 03130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-NP 03130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Japan | Atlantic DT-1127First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Atlantic AK-3174First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1969 | Norway | Atlantic ATL 70.392First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Peru | Atlantic AT 7028 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-73First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Japan | Atlantic P-2577A7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Marrakesh Express / Helplessly Hoping are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1969 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2652, released July 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2652, 584283, AK-3174, AT 2652X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 16642 - 1 LW W AT and A - 16648 - 12 LW W AT. 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.
