Vinyl pressings
by Rare Earth · 1973
Ma 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.
16 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
1306117-08B RE5035F-61916-38 RE5053-AA-side runout, etched
1306117-08A RE5035F-62025-2B RE5053-BB-side runout, etched
(61916-3A)A-side label
(62025-2A)B-side label
61916-3B-MLabel A side
61916-3B-SLabel B side
94 359 A-1Runout A, stamped
94 359 B-1Runout B, stamped
R-5053F-AA label
R-5053F-BB label
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 | Belgium | Rare Earth 4C 006-94 359First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Rare Earth R 5053FFirst year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1973 | El Salvador | Rare Earth R-5053-FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Rare Earth 2 C 006-94359 / Rare Earth 2C 006 - 94.359First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Rare Earth 1C 006-94 359 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-94 359First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Rare Earth 1C 006-94 359 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-94 359First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | EMI 305087", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1973 | Italy | Rare Earth RSL-NP 63114First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | South Africa | Rare Earth RES 602First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Rare Earth R 5053FFirst year45 RPM, 7", Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 45 RPM, 7", Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | Rare Earth R 5053FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | Venezuela | Rare Earth 45-13.375First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | Rare Earth JET-2185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Rare Earth JET-2185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Rare Earth R 5053 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Tamla Motown GTM 18945 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| ? | Lebanon | Rare Earth 2 C 006-94359 / Rare Earth 2C 006 - 94.3597", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Ma are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and more. One of them is Rare Earth R 5053 F, released March 14, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 5053 F, R 5053F, 1C 006-94 359, JET-2185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1306117-08B RE5035F-61916-38 RE5053-A and 1306117-08A RE5035F-62025-2B RE5053-B. 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.
