Vinyl pressings
by Les McCann · 1978
The Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
A&M SP 5173-M1 [MR logo] △ 23697 ①Side A runout, variant 1
A&M SP 5174-M1 [MR logo] △ 23697-X ①Side B runout, variant 1
A&M SP 5173-M2 [MR logo] △ 23697 ②Side A runout, variant 2
A&M SP 5172̶ 4-M1 [MR logo] △ 23697-X ①Side B runout, variant 2
A&M SP5173-M2 A ◄23697Side A runout, variant 1
T1 A&M SP5174-T3Side B runout, variant 1
T1 A&M SP5173-T3Side A runout, variant 2
A&M SP5174-M1 ["MR" circle] △23697-X THSide B runout, variant 2
A&M SP5173-P1A side runout etched
A&M SP5174-P2B side runout etched
SP-5173A side label
SP-5174B side label
SP-5173A side label
SP-5174B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L-36,755First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLH 64718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLH 64718First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Philippines | A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64718First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4718 / A&M Records SP-4718First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4718 / A&M Records SP-4718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4718 / A&M Records SP-4718LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4718 / A&M Records SP 4718First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-6032LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of The Man are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4718, released September 9, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4718, SP 4718, AMLH 64718, L-36,755) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP 5173-M1 [MR logo] △ 23697 ① and A&M SP 5174-M1 [MR logo] △ 23697-X ①. 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.
