Vinyl pressings
by Mimi Farina · 1971
Take Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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 4519-P1 1 ARunout side A, variant 1
A&M SP 4520-P1 C 2Runout side B, variant 1
P A&M SP 4519-P1 A 3Runout side A, variant 2
P A&M SP 4520-P1 B 1Runout side B, variant 2
T1 A&M SP 4519-T1 2Etched, Side 1
T1 A&M SP 4520-T1Etched, Side 2
AStamped, Sides 1 & 2
SP-4519Label, Side 1
A&M SP 4519-M1 (MR) △16223Etched, Side 1, "(MR)" is stamped
A&M SP 4520-M1 (MR) △16223-XEtched, Side 2, "(MR)" is stamped
SP-4519Label, Side 1
SP-4520Label, Side 2
A&M SP 4519-M1 16223Etched, Side 1
A&M SP 4520-M1 16223-XEtched, Side 2
SP-4519Label, Side 1
SP-4520Label, Side 2
A&M SP 4519-P1Etched, Side 1
A&M SP 4520-P1Etched, Side 2
1 AStamped, Side 1
C (upside down 2)Stamped, Side 2
A&M SP 4519-P1 3 PSide 1 Runout
A&M SP 4520-P1 2 PSide 2 Runout
SP-4519Label, Side 1
SP-4520Label, Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4310First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 64310First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Venezuela | A&M Records LPS 77896First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4310LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4310LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-4310LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4310 / A&M Records SP 4310LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Take Heart are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Venezuela. One of them is A&M Records SP-4310.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4310, AMLS 64310, LPS 77896) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M SP 4519-P1 1 A and A&M SP 4520-P1 C 2. 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.
