Vinyl pressings
by Lee Michaels · 1971
5th was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
p A+M SP4503-P1A side runout, variant 1
p A+M SP4504-P1B side runout, variant 1
A&M SP4503 P2A side runout, variant 2
A&M SP4504 P3B side runout, variant 2
T1 A&M SP 4503 T2 C3Side 1 Runout Etched (Variant 1)
T1 A&M SP 4504 T2 A8Side 2 Runout Etched (Variant 1)
T1 A&M SP 4503 T1 VSide 1 Runout Etched (Variant 2)
A&M SP 4504 T1 VSide 2 Runout Etched (Variant 2)
A&M SP 4503-M1 MR ∆15952 (2X)Runout side A, variant 1
A&M SP 4504-M1 MR ∆15952-X (1)Runout side B, variant 1
A&M SP 4503-M1 MR ∆15952 (3)Runout side A, variant 2
A&M SP 4504-M1 MR ∆15952-X (2X)Runout side B, variant 2
S 1 A&M SP 4503 S1 A6Runout A
S 1 A&M SP 4504 S1 A11Runout B
SP-4503Label A
SP-4504Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | A&M Records SAML 934257First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Australia | A&M Records SAML-934257 / A&M Records SAML 9 34257LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4302First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Colombia | Codiscos ECI 83First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | A&M Records 85 532 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | A&M Records HDAS 371-66 / Hispavox HDAS 371-66First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ 1129LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1971 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 64302First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302 / A&M Records SP 4302First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302 / A&M Records SW-93846LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records LLP-4302First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Jukebox | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Jukebox |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4302First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4302LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
23 vinyl pressings of 5th are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1971 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4302, released May 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4302, LLP-4302, AMLS 64302, SAML 934257) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, p A+M SP4503-P1 and p A+M SP4504-P1. 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.
