Vinyl pressings
by Gladys Knight And The Pips · 1969
Friendship Train 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.
16 pressings came out in 1969, 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.
ARP NKN-684M01 -1A side - runout (etched)
NKS-637507 XIB side - runout (etched)
X4KM-4922-1 BB side - runout (stamped)
N-K-N-684M01A side - label
NKN-684M01 -1 ARPA-side etched runout
X4KM-4922-1 B ⋉ NKS-6370507 ARPB-side etched runout
N-K-N-684MO1A-side label matrix
N-K-N-637SO7B-side label matrix
NKN-684M01 MR -/ Δ78323A-Side Runout
NKS-637S07 o MR X4KM-4922-1 Δ78321B-Side Runout
N-K-N-684M01A-Side Label
N-K-S-637S07B-Side Label
H [sideways S] X4KM-4927-1B [stamped] N-K-N-684M01 [inverted,etched}A side runout
N-K-N-684M01 X4KM-4927Label matrix A side
N-K-S-637507 X4KM-4922Label matrix B side
H [sideways S] X4KM-4922-1D [stamped] NKS-637507 [etched, inverted]
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 | Tamla Motown TMO-8962First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8962First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown S 35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 006-90762First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.739First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Sweden | Tamla Motown 4E 006-90762 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Soul S-35068First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Soul S 35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Soul S-35068First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Soul S 35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Soul S 35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Soul S 35068First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Soul S-35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | US | Soul S-35068First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Soul S-35068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Tamla Motown M 50747", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Spain | Tamla Motown M 50747", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 7567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Friendship Train are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Netherlands, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Soul S-35068, released October 6, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-35068, S 35068, 5C 006-90762 M, TMO-8962) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP NKN-684M01 -1 and NKS-637507 XI. 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.
