Vinyl pressings
by Middle Of The Road · 1973
Samba D'amour 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.
11 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.
S 12990 A-2 Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped, variant 1
S 12990 B-1 Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped, variant 1
S 12990 A-1 Made in GermanyRunout A, stamped, variant 2
S 12990 B-2 Made in GermanyRunout B, stamped, variant 2
RTS 15 A
RTS 15 B
S 12990 A-3Runout A, stamped
S 12990 B-3Runout B, stamped
12990 ALabel and hand etched, runout side A
12990 BLabel and hand etched, runout side B
S-12990 ARunout side A
S 12990 BRunout side B
S 12 990 ALabel side A
S 12 990 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Angola | R & T RTS.15-CDFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Austria | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | France | Eurodisc Pop 12.990 / Eurodisc Pop 12990 JFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | France | Eurodisc Pop 12 990 / Eurodisc Pop 12.990First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Italy | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Portugal | Ariola 12 990 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | South Africa | R & T RTS.15First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Spain | Ariola 12 990 A / Ariola 12.990-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Samba D'amour are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, Angola, Austria, France and more. One of them is Ariola 12 990 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 990 AT, RTS.15-CD, 12.990, 12 990) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S 12990 A-2 Made in Germany and S 12990 B-1 Made in Germany. 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.
