Vinyl pressings
by R.B. Greaves · 1969
Take A Letter Maria was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AT 69-C-17634 - 16 WA runout, variant 1
AT 69-C-17636 - 13 LW WB runout, variant 1
AT [SRC Logo] 69-C-17634 - 6 WA runout, etched except [stamped], variant 2
AT [SRC Logo] 69-C-17636 - 4 LW WB runout, etched except [stamped], variant 2
69-C-17634-MO27 [MR logo] LW △78137 W ATRunout side A, variant 1
69-C-17636-MO24 [MR logo] LW W △78138 ATRunout side B, variant 1
69-C-17634-MO27 [MR logo] LW LW △78137 W ATRunout side A, variant 2
69-C-17636-MO24-REPL LW [MR logo] W △78138 ATRunout side B, variant 2
69-C-17634-16 W ATSide A runout
69-C-1736-13 LW W ATSide B runout
69C-17634-PLLabel Side A
69C-17636-PLLabel Side B
69C-17634-MOSide A label
69C-17636-MOSide B label
69-C- 17634 - SRC 7 LW LW W ATA Side Runout
69-C - 17636 - 3 LW W SRC ATB Side Runout
69-C-17634 SPA Side Label
69-17636 SPB Side Label
69-C-17634 - 6 SRC W ATLabel side A
69-C-17636 - 4 LW W ATLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK-3357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK-3357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Atlantic AK-3357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Belgium | ATCO Records BE 176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | ATCO Records ACS 205023First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | ATCO Records ATCO-6714First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Germany | Atlantic Atl. 70.402 / Atlantic ATL 70.402First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | Atlantic Atl. 70.402 / Atlantic ATL 70.402First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Greece | Atlantic 255 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Greece | Atlantic 255 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1969 | Jamaica | ATCO Records 45—6714First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Mexico | Atlantic AT-45-53First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Atlantic AK-3357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 479First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Spain | Atlantic H 543 / Hispavox H 543First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-81 / Alvorada N-28-817", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-NP 03147 / Atlantic ATL NP 031477", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Japan | Atlantic DT 11407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Japan | Atlantic DT 11407", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atlantic AK-33577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Atco Records ATCO-1767", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | France | ATCO Records ATCO-176 / ATCO Records 1767", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
34 vinyl pressings of Take A Letter Maria are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is ATCO Records 45-6714, released September 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-6714, 6714, ATCO 6714, 226007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AT 69-C-17634 - 16 W and AT 69-C-17636 - 13 LW W. 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.
