Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1973
Higher Ground 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.
38 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 21 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.
T54235-62283 S 16BA side runout etched
T54238-62298 S 16AB side runout etched
T T54235f-62283 S 10AVar 2: A side runout etched
T T54238F-62298 S 10A ᵀᴵVar 2: B side runout etched
T54235F-62283 - S 16B PA side runout [Etched]
T54235F-62298 S 16A PB side runout [Etched]
62283-SA side label
62298-SB side label
T54235-62283 S 18B PPRunout Side A, variant 1
T54235f-62298 S 18A PPRunout Side B, variant 1
T54235f-62283 S 18A PPRunout Side A, variant 2
T54235-B T54235f-62298 S 8BRunout Side B, variant 2
T54235-62283 S 17B T-54235-1BSide A Runout:
T54235f-62298 S 17A T-54235-B5-1ASide B Runout:
62283-SSide A Label:
62298-SSide B Label:
T̶5̶4̶2̶3̶2̶f̶-62283-S 02ASide A runout etching
T̶5̶4̶2̶3̶2̶f̶-62298 S 02ASide B runout etching
62283-SSide A Label
62298 SSide B Label
T̶5̶4̶2̶3̶5̶F̶- 62283 S 02AEtched Runout - Side A
T̶5̶4̶2̶3̶5̶F̶ 62298 S 02AEtched Runout - Side A
62283-SLabel Matrix - Side A
62298-SLabel Matrix - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-10301First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-10301First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Tamla Motown 4 C006_94696 / Tamla Motown 4 C 006-94696First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54235FFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54235FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54235FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown T 54235FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 006-94696First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 006-94 696 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-94 696First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Greece | Tamla Motown GTM 197First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG(I) 869First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM.NP 64169First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM NP 64169First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown T 54235FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | Motown JET-2215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Tamla Motown 4 C006_94696 / Tamla Motown 4 C006-946967", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
40 vinyl pressings of Higher Ground are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Tamla T 54235F, released August 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 54235F, T-54235F, TMG 869, TMO-10301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T54235-62283 S 16B and T54238-62298 S 16A. 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.
