Vinyl pressings
by Helen Reddy · 1972
I Am Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 10 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.
[Six-pointed asterisk]Stamped onto deadwax on both sides
S-45-78568-F-3· (etched) 1(stamped, sideways)A side deadwax
S-45-77550-F-3· (etched) 3(stamped, sideways)B side deadwax
78568 3350 F12 #1 0A side deadwax
77550 3350 F1 #1 0B side deadwax
S-45-78568-F-3 ✲A Side Runout
S-45-77550-F-3 ✲B Side Runout
S45-78568 F2 —◁A Side Runout, Variant 1
S45-77550-F3 #4 —◁B Side Runout, Variant 1
S45-78568 F2 #2—◁A Side Runout, Variant 2
S45-77550-F3 —◁B Side Runout, Variant 2
S-45-78568-F-3 ✲A Side Runout, variant 1
S-45-77550-F-3 ✲B Side Runout, variant 1
S-45-78568-F-6· 1 ✲A Side Runout, variant 2
S-45-77550-F-3· 2 ✲B Side Runout, variant 2
S45-78568-F10 [IAM triangle]A Side Runout
S45-77550-F8 #2 [IAM triangle]B Side Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-9953First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-9953First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-9953First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-9953First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-9953First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Records 3350First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Records 3350First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Chile | Capitol Records CAP 39201First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1972 | France | Capitol Records 2 C006 - 81185First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-10210First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1972 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-10210First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Philippines | Capitol Records CAP-45-279First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Capitol Records SP 20 053First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 522First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Movieplay SN-20.700First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records 33507", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of I Am Woman are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Canada, Chile and more. One of them is Capitol Records 3350, released May 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3350, CP-9953, CAP 39201, 2 C006 - 81185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [Six-pointed asterisk] and S-45-78568-F-3· (etched) 1(stamped, sideways). 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.
