Vinyl pressings
by Percy Sledge · 1972
When A Man Loves A Woman 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.
3 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
WEA 10231-A PFRunout A, etched
WEA 10231-B PF 1̶̶0̶̶3̶Runout B, etched (103 crossed out)
Manufactured in GermanyRunout A&B, stamped
10 213-ALabel A
WEA 10231-A PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout A
WEA 10231-B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout B
10 213-ALabel A
10 213-BLabel B
10.231 - A//HM 19.403 - 1 - 4 - 8Runout side A
10.231-B //HM19.404 - 1 - 4 - 8Runout 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 | Austria | Atlantic Atl. 10 2317", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1972 | Benelux | Atlantic ATL.102317", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 231First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 10231First year7" | 7" |
| 1973 | Austria | Atlantic ATL 10 2317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 2317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 10 231 / Atlantic ATL 102317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 3947", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Atlantic K 103947", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1979 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 2317", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Bellaphon 100·07·1447", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Bellaphon 100-07-1447", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | Atlantic ATL 102317", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | France | Atlantic ATL 10.231 / Atlantic 102317", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 2317", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 10 3947", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Atlantic ATL 102317", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Atlantic ATL 102317", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 103947", Single | 7", Single |
20 vinyl pressings of When A Man Loves A Woman are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Atlantic ATL 10 231.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ATL 10 231, ATL 10231) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA 10231-A PF and WEA 10231-B PF 1̶̶0̶̶3̶. 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.
