Vinyl pressings
by Gilbert O'Sullivan · 1973
I'm A Writer, Not A Fighter 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.
30 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 18 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.
XZAL-12595.P - 2W NA 2 DRunout A-side, variant 1
XZAL-12596.P - 1W NI 3 CRunout B-side, variant 1
XZAL-12595.P - 2W 11 G 3CRunout A-side, variant 2
XZAL-12596.P - 2W MI 1Runout B-side, variant 2
XZAL-12595-1[Three dots underneath] AL 9-12-73 Bell Sound SfSide A
XZAL-12596-1[Three dots underneath] AL 9-12-73 Bell Sound SfSide B
XZAL 12595-4 Bell Sound sƒSide A runout, etched
XZAL 12596-4 Bell Sound sƒSide B runout, etched
XZAL 12595-4[Three dots underneath] - I - I Bell Sound sƒ PR DSide A runout, etched (variant 2)
XZAL 12596-4[Three dots underneath] - I - I Bell Sound sƒ PR DSide B runout, etched (variant 2)
XZAL-12595-5 W sfRunout Side A [Etched]
XZAL-12596-5 W sfRunout Side B [Etched]
Bell SoundRunout Both Sides [Stamped]
XZAL-12595-2... BEST 9-12-73 Bell Sound sfSide A
XZAL-12596-2... BEST 9-12-73 Bell Sound sfSide B
XZAL 12595 BWSide A Label
XZAL 12596 BWSide B Label
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 | Australia | MAM MAM - SS 505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Belgium | MAM MAM - SS 505 / MAM MAM - SS.505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | MAM SMML-6003 / MAM XZAL-12596 PFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MAM MAM 7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Colombia | London Records MAM 7 / Daro International MAM 7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | MAM 258.092First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MAM MAMA 505First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MAM 98 014First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MAM 6499 699First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | MAM 28 331-7 / MAM 16.21203LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | Germany | MAM MAMA 505First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Greece | MAM MAM - SS 505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | MAM MAM - SSI 505First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Japan | MAM GP-132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | MAM 6499 699First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Platinum PLP 55LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of I'm A Writer, Not A Fighter are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is MAM MAM - SS 505.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAM - SS 505, MAM 7, MAM.SS.505, SMML-6003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-12595.P - 2W NA 2 D and XZAL-12596.P - 1W NI 3 C. 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.
