Vinyl pressings
by I Giganti · 1966
Tema was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 4 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.
RR 824/39 BISRunout area side A, variant 1
RR 824/38Runout area side B, variant 1
RR 824// 39 BISRunout area side A, variant 2
RR 824// 38Runout area side B, variant 2
RR 824 // 39 BISRunout side A
RR 824 // 38Runout side AA
RR 824/39Label side A
RR 824/38Label side AA
RR 824/39Label side A
RR 824/38Label side B
RR 824// 39 BISRunout side A
RR 824 // 38Runout side B
RR 824/39Label side A
RR 824/38Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | France | Barclay 060735First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Greece | Philips 333 715 PF / Philips 3736First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Italy | Rifi RFN 16144 / Rifi RFN NP 16144First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Rifi RFN 16144 / Rifi RFN NP 16144First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Rifi RFN NP 16144First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox |
| 1966 | Italy | Rifi RFN 16144 / Rifi RFN NP 161447", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
| 1966 | Italy | Rifi RFN NP 16144First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Japan | Fontana SFON-1006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Italy | Quei Favolosi Anni '60 / Rifi RFN 161447", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Philips 83235-PB7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Chile | Philips 333.7157", Single, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Mono · Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Tema are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1966 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in Italy, Japan, France, Greece. One of them is Rifi RFN 16144, released April 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RFN 16144, RFN NP 16144, SFON-1006, 060735) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RR 824/39 BIS and RR 824/38. 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.
