Vinyl pressings
by Don McLean · 1970
Tapestry was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
41-4-A 1-C FM.L.Side A variant 1
41-4B 1-A PSide B variant 1
41-4-A 1B F M.L. VL T2Side A, Variant 2, etched. "F" in cursive
41-4-B 1B F M.L. T 1Side B, Variant 2, etched. "F" in cursive
41-4-A -1A JF M.L. 1 A 44A side runout etched
41-4-B 1-A JF M.L. 11 B 44A side runout etched
41-4-A -1A JF M.L. 1 B 44A side runout etched, Variant 2
41-4-B 1A JF M.L. 44B side runout etched, Variant 2
41-4-A 1B F M.L. VL T2Runout side A, etched. "F" in cursive
41-4-B 1B F M.L. T 1Runout side B, etched. "F" in cursive
41-4ALabel side A
41-4BLabel side B
Ƨ 1 41-4-A-1A F M.L. 1 AA runout
-41-4-B 1A F M.L. B1B runout
41-4AA label
41-4BB label
41-4 1CSide 1
41-4 1ASide 2
UAS 29350 A-3Stamped Side A
UAS 29350 B-3Stamped side B
UAS 29.350-ALabel Side A
UAS 29.350-ALabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Mediarts ME 41-4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Israel | United Artists Records UAS 5522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | South Africa | United Artists Records UAS 5522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Mediarts 41-4First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Lebanon | United Artists Records UAS 29350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Taiwan | First Record FL-2192First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Mediarts 41-4First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Mediarts 41-4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Mediarts 41-4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Mediarts 41-4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Australia | United Artists Records SUAL-934261LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1971 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS-5522LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS-5522LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | United Artists Records SUAL 934261LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Philippines | United Artists Records UAS-5522 / The Rainbow Collection UAS-5522LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Belgium | Sunset Records 1A 028-61943 / Sunset Records 4M 034-61943LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Europe | Music For Pleasure 1A022-58104LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Sunset Records 1A 028-61943LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Music For Pleasure 1A022-58104LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | Ricordi ORL 8158LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Liberty LN-10157LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records L 34261LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records SUAL-934261LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records UAC.5046LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Sunset Records DA 5021 / The Rainbow Collection DA 5021LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 41 3107 1 / Fame FA 4131071LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS-5522 / The Rainbow Collection UAS-5522LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of Tapestry are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1970 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Lebanon, Taiwan, Canada and more. One of them is Mediarts 41-4, released September 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 41-4, UAS 29350, FL-2192, ME 41-4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 41-4-A 1-C FM.L. and 41-4B 1-A 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.
