Vinyl pressings
by Jim Croce · 1972
Operator 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.
16 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T 16355-1Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
T 16356-1 TIIRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
T 16355-2 TIIRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
T 16356-2 TIIRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
16355 PPEtched, Runout Side A
16356 PPEtched, Runout Side B
16356Side A
16356Side B
45-AMP-16335Label Side A
45-AMP-16356Label Side B
45-16355 SPA-Side Label
45-16356 SPB-Side Label
16355 PPEtched, Runout Side A
16356 PPEtched, Runout Side B
16355 1A ssssRunout side A, etched
16356 1B ssRunout side B, etched
45-16355Label Side A
45-16356Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Vertigo 6073251First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records ABC-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Vertigo 6073 251First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records ABC-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records ABC-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records 45-11335First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records ABC-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records ABC-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | ABC Records 45-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Operator are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is ABC Records ABC-11335.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABC-11335, 45-11335, 6073 251, 6073251) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 16355-1 and T 16356-1 TII. 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.
