Vinyl pressings
by Jackie Moore · 1973
Sweet Charlie Babe / If 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.
12 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ST-A-25599-4 PP AS [MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.] ATRunout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
ST-A-26205-3 PP AT BS [MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.] ATRunout, side B, etched, except [stamped]
ST-A-25599-PLLabel Side A
ST-A-26205-PLLabel Side B
ST-A-25599-MOLabel Side A
ST-A-26205-MOLabel Side B
ST-A-25599-1 1-1 AT AS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. SRCA-Side Runout
ST-A-26205-2 1-1 AT SRC BS MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.B-Side Runout
ST-A-25599-SPLabel Side A
ST-A-26205-SPLabel Side B
A-25599 SPLabel, side A
ST-A-25599 SPLabel, side B
K10355 A2Side A Stamped Runout
K10355 B2Side B Stamped Runout
K10355 A2Side A Stamped Runout
K10355 B2Side B Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Atlantic ATL.132First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Atlantic K 10355First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Atlantic K 10355First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | Atlantic K 10355First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Atlantic 45-2956First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Sweet Charlie Babe / If are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2956, released June 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2956, K 10355, AT 2956, ATL.132) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-25599-4 PP AS [MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.] AT and ST-A-26205-3 PP AT BS [MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.] AT. 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.
