Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Miller · 1977
Love Letters was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
11-347-A-32693-1-Y HNSide A etched Variant 1
11-347-B-32694-1-Y HNSide B etched Variant 1
11- 347 - A // - 32693 - 2 - Y HNSide A etched Variant 2
11 - 347 - B-32694 - 1 - Y HNSide B etched Variant 2
11-347-A-//-32693-2-Y HNRunout side A
11-347-B-32694-1-Y HNRunout side B
CHS 2166 A//1 P 11 4Side A, stamped
CHS 2166 B/1 11 8 PYESide B, stamped & etched
CHS 2166ASide A, label
CHS 2166BSide B, label
Matrix side a CHS 2166 A//1
Matrix side b CHS 2166 B / 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Chrysalis K-6914First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2166First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Chrysalis 6155 201First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 11 347First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 11 347First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 11 347First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2166First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2166First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2166First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1977 | US | Chrysalis CHS-2166First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Love Letters are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis 11 347.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 11 347, CHS 2166, CHS-2166, K-6914) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 11-347-A-32693-1-Y HN and 11-347-B-32694-1-Y HN. 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.
