Vinyl pressings
by John Kay · 1972
Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes 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.
17 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
DSX 50120-A △16809(4) (MR)A-side runout, variant 1
DSX 50120-B △16809-X (4) (MR)B-side runout, variant 1
DSX 50120-A △16809 (MR)A-side runout, variant 2
DSX 50120-B △16809-X (3) (MR)B-side runout, variant 2
DSX 50120-A TSMA-side runout
DSX 50120-B TSMB-side runout
DSX-50120-AA-side label
DSX-50120-BB-side label
DSX 50120-A TSMA-side runout
DSX 50120-B TSMB-side runout
DSX 50120-AA-side label
DSX 50120-BB-side label
DSX 50120 AA-Side Label
DSX 50120 BB-Side Label
R113522 A 1S ⅠRunout Side A, stamped
R113522 B 1S ⅠRunout Side B, stamped
DSX 50120-A [MR logo] △16809A-Side Runout (Etched), variant 1
DSX 50120-B [MR logo] △16809-X (4)B-Side Runout (Etched), variant 1
DSX 50120-A [MR logo] △16809A-Side Runout (Etched), variant 2
DSX 50120-B [MR logo] △16809-X (3)B-Side Runout (Etched), variant 2
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 | Probe SPBA 3041First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records DSX-50120 / ABC/Dunhill Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | France | Probe 2C 062-93 321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Probe 1C 062-93 321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Probe IPP-80522First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Probe IPP-80522First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Probe DSX 50120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Probe PROPL.8019First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Probe SPB 1054 / Probe 1E 062 ◦ 93321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Dunhill DSX 50120 / ABC Records DSX 50120First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Dunhill DSX 50120.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSX 50120, SPB 1054, SPBA 3041, DSX-50120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSX 50120-A △16809(4) (MR) and DSX 50120-B △16809-X (4) (MR). 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.
