Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1972
Ben was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 19 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.
M-1207F-61234A ARPSide A Runout
M-1207F-60265B ARPSide B Runout
M-1207F-61234-7A 𝓐𝓡𝓟Var 2: Side A Runout
M-1207F-60265-3B 𝓐𝓡𝓟Var 2: Side B Runout
TVC PE M1207f-61234-7AMRunout, side A, etched (Variant 1)
TVC PE M1207f-60265-73BRunout, side B, etched (Variant 1)
TVC PE M1207f-61234-7ARunout, side A, etched (Variant 2)
TVC PE M1207-f-60265-3BRunout, side B, etched (Variant 2)
t c PE M1207f -61234-7AMRunout, side A, etched / [stamped]
t c PE M1207f -60265-73BRunout, side B, etched / [stamped]
t c PE M1207f -61234-7AMSide A runout, variant 2
t c PE M-1207-f -60265-3BSide B runout, variant 2
TVC PE M-1207F-61234-7A 3-EX-MRSide A etched
TVC PE M-1207R-60265-3BSide B etched
61234Side A label
60265Side B label
M1207F-61234-7A M-1207-A-1BRunout, Side A, Etched
M-1207-F-60265-313 M-1207-B-1ARunout, Side B, Etched
M 1207F ALabel Side A
M 1207F BLabel Side B
M1207 F-61234•7AS M-1207-A-1A S sssssRunout, Side A, Etched
M-1207 F-60265-3B M-1207-B-1A S sRunout, Side B, Etched
M 1207F ALabel Side A
M 1207F BLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-9989First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-9989First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Motown M-1207First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Motown M 1207 / Tapecar M 1207First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Tamla Motown M 1207FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | El Salvador | Motown M-1207F / Dicesa M-1207FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG (I) 834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown M 1207FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2145 / Motown MOT-1143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2145 / Motown MOT-1143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Motown JET-2145 / Motown MOT-1143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Tamla Motown 7230First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 690 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-93690First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 690 / Tamla Motown 5C 006-93690First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.840First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Japan | Motown UPKH-1002 / Polydor UPKH-10027", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-99897", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-99897", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Tapecar M - 1207 / Motown M - 12077", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Motown M. 1207 / Tapecar M. 12077", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Tapecar M. 1207 / Motown M. 12077", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Tapecar CS-M 1207 / Motown CS-M 12077", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Ireland | Motown TMG 8347", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of Ben are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1972 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Norway, Philippines and more. One of them is Motown M 1207F, released July 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 1207F, M 1207F A, TMG 834, 7E 006-93690) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-1207F-61234A ARP and M-1207F-60265B ARP. 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.
