Vinyl pressings
by MFSB · 1973
Love Is The Message was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
P.I.R.- AL 32707 F/WRunout A, variant 1
P.I.R.- BL 32707 F/WRunout B, variant 1
P.I.R. AL-32707-1̶B̶B̶. 2B F/WRunout A, variant 2
P.I.R. BL-32707-1̶B̶B̶ 2B F/WRunout B, variant 2
P.I.R. AL-32707-1̶B̶B̶. 2B F/W PA Side runout etched exc P stamp - Variant 1
P.I.R. BL-32707-1̶B̶B̶ 2B F/W PB Side runout etched exc P stamp - Variant 1
P P.I.R. AL-32707- ̷1̷B̷A̷. 2A F/W.A Side runout etched exc P stamp - Variant 2
P P.I.R. BL-32707- ̷1̷B̷A̷. 2A F/W.B Side runout etched exc P stamp - Variant 2
TI P.I.R.PAL-32707-1BC 0 F/W.A Side, variant 1 (Etched & Stamped)
TI P.I.R.PAL-32707-1BD 0 F/W. AIB Side, variant 1 (Etched & Stamped)
0 T2 P.I.R.PAL-32707-1BC F/W.A Side, variant 2 (Etched & Stamped)
TI P.I.R.PBL-32707-1BD 0 F/W. AI2B Side, variant 2 (Etched & Stamped)
P.I.R.PAL-32707-1BF F/W. A4 ϟ o 1Side A
P.I.R.PAL-32707-1BF 0 F/W. B o 1Side B
P.I.R.AL-32707-1BF F/W. B1 ϟ o 1Side A [etched, variant 2]
P.I.R. BL-32707-1BE F/W. A14 ϟ o 1Side B [etched, variant 2]
S-PIR-80154 A1A-side runout, stamped
S-PIR-80154 B1B-side runout, stamped
S PIR 80154 AA-side label
S PIR 80154 BB-side label
S-PIR-80154-A1 Philly! A ◁Runout side A, variant 1
S-PIR-80154-B1 ORunout side B, variant 1
S-PIR-80154-A1 Philly! A Ʌ 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
S-PIR-80154-B1 Ʌ 1 1Runout 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.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1122 / Philadelphia International Records KZ 32707LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Italy | Strongly Felt SF73002LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Yegrin STR 105LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Spain | Philadelphia International Records PIR 65864LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
39 vinyl pressings of Love Is The Message are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1973 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records KZ 32707.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KZ 32707, PIR 80154, SBP 234479, PIR 65864) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R.- AL 32707 F/W and P.I.R.- BL 32707 F/W. 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.
