Vinyl pressings
by Letta Mbulu · 1970
Letta was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
CS-805 CHI-509 S-1 dh H Z4RS-3245-2-BSide A runout, etched & stamped
CS-805 CHI-510 S-2 dh H Z4RS-3246-2-BSide B runout, etched & stamped
CHI 510 Z4RS-3245Side A label
CHI 510 Z4RS-3246Side B label
Z4RS-3245-1 I A1 dh CS-805-7 CHI-509 S-1Side A runout
Z4RS-3246-1 I dh a1 CS-805-6 CHI-509 S-2Stamped Side 2 Runout
CHI-509Side A label (set 1)
CHI-510Side B label (set 1)
CS-805 CHI-509 S-1 dh H Z4RS-3245-2-BSide A runout, etched & stamped
CHI 509 Z 4RS-3245Side A label
CHI-509Side A label
CHI-510Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Philippines | Chisa CS 805First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMC 5213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Chisa CS 805First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Chisa CS 805 DJ / Chisa CS805PFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Chisa CS-805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Venezuela | Tamla Motown LPS-88.111 CS-805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Jamaica | Chisa CS805P / Chisa CS-805First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Chisa CS805P / Chisa CS 805First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Mozambique | Tamla Motown TMC 5213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | Chisa CS805P / Tamla Motown CS-805LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Letta are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1970 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Jamaica, Philippines, South Africa and more. One of them is Chisa CS805P, released September 1, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS805P, CS 805, CS-805, CS 805 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CS-805 CHI-509 S-1 dh H Z4RS-3245-2-B and CS-805 CHI-510 S-2 dh H Z4RS-3246-2-B. 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.
