US
1962- Label and catalog number
- Era Records 3068
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
△-41344 BSN-227-RE3 [ARP AC]Runout, side A, etched
45-BSN-228 △-41344-X [ARP AC]Runout, side B, etched
45-BSN-227-RE-3Label side A
45-BSN-2278Label side B
Ketty LesterLove Letters
Vinyl pressings
Love Letters
by Ketty Lester · 1962
21 pressings11 countriesRhythm & BluesSoulFunk / Soul
Love Letters was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Love Letters
15 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 10 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.
US
1962- Label and catalog number
- Era Records 3068
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Alco Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BSN-227-RE3 [Alco logo] ∆ 41344 DMA-side runout
45-BSN-228 DM ∆-41344-XB-side runout
45-BSN-227-RE-3A-side label
45-BSN-228B-side label
US
1962- Label and catalog number
- Era Records 3068
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Alco Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BSN-227-RE3 △-41344 [Alco logo]Runout side A
45-BSN-228 △-41344-xRunout side B
45-BSN-227-RE-3Label side A
45-BSN-228Label side B
US
1962- Label and catalog number
- Era Records 3068
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
△-41344 BSN-227-RE3 [ARP AC]Runout, side A, etched
45-BSN-228 △-41344-X [ARP AC]Runout, side B, etched
45-BSN-227-RE-3Label side A
45-BSN-2278Label side B
UK
March 1962- Label and catalog number
- London American Recordings 45-HLN 9527
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · O/T
- Runout / matrix
MSF.5789Side A label
MSF.5790Side B label
UK
1962- Label and catalog number
- London American Recordings 45-HL-N. 9527
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
45-MSF-5789-IT CH OT 1Runout, side A, variant 1
45-MSF-5790-1T CH OT 1Runout, side B, variant 1
45-MSF-5789-IT BK H ZTRunout, side A, variant 2
45-MSF-5790-IT UB H ZTRunout, side B, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Australia | London Records HL-1939First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Belgium | London Records 9.5.347First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Canada | London Records M. 17226First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Germany | London Records DL 20 631First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Ireland | London American Recordings 45-HL-N 9527First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Italy | London Records 45 - HL 9527First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Japan | London Records LED-252First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | New Zealand | London American Recordings NZL-N 739First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLN 95277", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1962 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HL-N. 9527First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | London American Recordings 45-HLN 95277", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1962 | UK | London American Recordings HLN 9527First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1962 | UK | London Records 45-HLN 9527 / London American Recordings 45-HLN 95277", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1962 | US | Era Records 3068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | US | Era Records 3068First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Disques London HL N 95277", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | London American Recordings HL-N.95277", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | London American Recordings HL-N. 95277", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
Tracklist
- ALove Letters2:27
- BI'm A Fool To Want You2:58
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Love Letters are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Love Letters are listed here, from 11 countries.
When was Love Letters first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Era Records 3068.
How do I tell if my copy of Love Letters is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3068, 45-HLN 9527, 45-HL-N. 9527, HLN 9527) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, △-41344 BSN-227-RE3 [ARP AC] and 45-BSN-228 △-41344-X [ARP AC]. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Love Letters on vinyl worth?
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.