Vinyl pressings
by Paul Williams · 1977
Classics was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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 A+M SP 5139 (RE-1) - P2Side A runout
P A+M SP 5140 - P1Side B runout
SP-4701/Stereo (SP-5139)Side A label
SP-4701/Stereo (SP-5140)Side B label
A+M SP5139(RE-1)-M4 MR◃22465 (10)Side A etched with MP logo
A+M SP5140-M4 MR◃22465 (5)Side B etched with MP logo
SP-4701/Stereo (SP-5139)Side 1 Label
SP-4701/Stereo (SP-5140)Side 2 Label
T1 A+M SP5139 (RE-1)-T2 DA side etch, exc D stamp (Variant 1)
T1 A+M SP5140-T2 ΛB side etch, exc Λ stamp (Variant 1)
T2 A+M SP5139 (RE-1)-T2 D2A side etch, exc D2 stamp (Variant 2)
T1 A+M SP5140-T1 BB side etch, exc B stamp (Variant 2)
A+M SP 5139 (RE-1) - M2Side 1 runout, variant 1
A+M SP 5140 - M4Side 2 runout, variant 1
P A+M SP5139(RE-1)-P2 5 2 ASide 1 runout, variant 2
P A&M SP5140-P2 1Side 2 runout, variant 2
SP-5139Label side A
SP-5140Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L 36261First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Brazil | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4701LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4701First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Portugal | A&M Records PPSP 4701 / A&M Records PPSP - 4701LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64701 / A&M Records AMLH - 64701LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Venezuela | A&M Records AMS-5152LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 80.022LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Classics are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4701.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4701, AMLH 64701, L 36261) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P A+M SP 5139 (RE-1) - P2 and P A+M SP 5140 - P1. 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.
