Vinyl pressings
by Helen Reddy · 1973
Long Hard Climb 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.
23 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 12 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.
1-11213-F-12• 1Side A etched, variant 1
2-11213-F-13•Side B etched, variant 1
SMAS-1-11213 Z-6• TML ✲Side A etched, variant 2
2-11213-F-13• ✲Side B etched, variant 2
SMAS-1-11213 Z-1 2 #1 TML MASTERING LAB 0Side A etched, stamped TML, MAST..., 0
SMAS-2-11213 Z-2 #5 TML 0Side B etched, stamped TML, 0
SMAS1-11213Side A label
SMAS2-11213Side B label
1-11213-F-11 • ✲Side A etched, exc. ✲ stamped, variant 1
2-11213-F-17 • ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B etched, exc. ✲ and ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ stamped, variant 1
(SMAS1-11213)Side A label matrix
(SMAS2-11213)Side B label matrix
1-11213-F-12•• 1 ✲ 2Runout A variant 1
SMAS-2-11213 Z-5 • 1 ✲ 2Runout B variant 1
1-11213-F-11•• 1 ✲ 2Runout A variant 2
SMAS-2-11213 Z-4• 1 ✲ 2Runout B variant 2
SMAS1-11213 Z-4 #2 ----◄Label Side A etched
SMAS2-11213 Z-3 #2 ----◄Label Side B etched
SMAS-1-11213 Z-1 2 #2 TML✲ 0Side A etched, exc. TML ✲ stamped
SMAS-2-11213 Z-2 #2 TML* 0Side B etched, exc. TML ✲ stamped
(SMAS1-11213)Label Side A
(SMAS2-11213)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Brazil | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 062-81493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | India | Capitol Records SMAS-11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Capitol Records ECP-80869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Capitol Records ECP-80869First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 062-81493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Capitol Records SMAS 11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST 11213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Movieplay S.26.205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 11213 / Capitol Records 0C 062 ◦ 81493First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST.11213 / Capitol Records ST-11213LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | Capitol Records SMAS-11213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | First Record FL-2393LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SMAS-511213 / Capitol Records SMAS 511213LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records R-113931 / Capitol Records R 113931LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16101LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SWAO-71213 / Capitol Records SMAS-11213LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition |
32 vinyl pressings of Long Hard Climb are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records SMAS-11213.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SMAS-11213, E-ST 11213, ST-11213, 1C 062-81493) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-11213-F-12• 1 and 2-11213-F-13•. 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.
