Vinyl pressings
by Jerry Butler · 1976
Love's On The Menu was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
M6-850S1-2599-S-06A MR ∆ 20991 #13Runout A, Etched, Stamped - Variant 1
M6-850S1-2600--S-13C IcARunout B, Etched - Variant 1
M6-850S1-2599-S-06B MR ∆ 20991 #13+Runout A, Etched, Stamped - Variant 2
M6-850S1-2599-S-06B MR ∆ 20991-X #13+Runout B, Etched, Stamped - Variant 2
2599-SSide One label
2600-SSide Two label
M6-850S1-2599-S-06A MR ∆ 20991 (4)Runout A, Etched, Stamped
M6-850S1-2600--S-06B MR ∆ 20991-X(4)Runout B, Etched, Stamped
2599-SA Side Label
2600-SB Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Motown M-850SI / Motown 2599-SFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown M-850SI / Motown M-850PIFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 062-97 940 / Motown 1C 062-97 940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6345First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Spain | Motown 28118-I / Motown 28.118-IFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 12032First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | US | Motown M6-850S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Motown M6-850S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Motown M6-850S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Motown M6-850S1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 12032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Love's On The Menu are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Motown M6-850S1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M6-850S1, STML 12032, M-850SI, 1C 062-97 940) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6-850S1-2599-S-06A MR ∆ 20991 #13 and M6-850S1-2600--S-13C IcA. 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.
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