Vinyl pressings
by Roberta Flack · 1972
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 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.
22 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
A - 23880 - 11 -RC △87643 AT MRRunout side A
A - 22600 - 6 -X △87579 AT MRRunout side B
A-23880-MOLabel side A
A-22600-MOLabel side B
A - 23880 - 9 PP ATRunout, side A, etched, variant 1
A - 22600 - 3 PP ATRunout, side B, etched, variant 1
A - 23880 - 9 PP ATRunout, side A, etched, variant 2
A - 22600 - 4 PP ATRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
A-23880 SPLabel, side A
A-22600 SPLabel, side B
A-23880 LYPrinted on side A
A-22600 LYPrinted on side B
A23880-8 AT 2972Runout A-side etched variant 1
A22600-1 AT 2972Runout B-side etched variant 1
A-23880 SPLabel, side A
ST-A-23880 SPLabel, side B
ST-A-23880-6 PP AT/GPSide A runout etched
A-23880-9 PP ATSide B runout etched
ST-A-23880-PLSide A label
A-23880-PLSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Angola | Atlantic ATS 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Atco Records ATCS-10.003First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Atlantic AT 2864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Atlantic AT-2864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Atlantic 10 155First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-2864First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Lebanon | Atlantic 10155First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Mexico | Atlantic G-1134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Atlantic ATL.97First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Atlantic N-28-125First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | South Africa | Atlantic ATS 575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Spain | Atlantic HS 832 / Hispavox HS - 832First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Atlantic CP 149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Atlantic 45-2864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Atlantic K 101617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Japan, Angola, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2864, released January 24, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2864, P-1132A, ATS 575, ATCS-10.003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A - 23880 - 11 -RC △87643 AT MR and A - 22600 - 6 -X △87579 AT MR. 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.
