Vinyl pressings
by Strawbs · 1974
Hero And Heroine was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
AMLH+63607+A ORVariant 1 Side A runout etched
To Robert LeHevre AMLH+63607+B B ORVariant 1 Side B runout etched
AMLH+63607+A ORVariant 2 Side A runout etched
To Robert LeHevre AMLH+63607+B ORVariant 2 Side A runout etched
AMLH-63607-A4 ∴A-Side runout stamp
AMLH-63607-B4 ∴ ∴B-Side runout stamp
MR [within a circle]A & B Stamped
A+M SP 3613 RE-1 M2 -EX △18629 (6) MJMA-Side Etched Variation 1
A+M SP 3614 RE-1 M1 △18629-X (2)B-Side Etched Variation 1
A+M SP 3613 RE-1 M1 △18629 (4)A-Side Etched Variation 2
A&M SP 3613 RE-1 Pl A PSide A runout, variant 1
A&M SP 3614 RE-1 Pl PSide B runout], variant 1
A&M SP 3613 RE-1 P1Side A runout, variant 2
A&M SP 3614 RE-1 P1Side B runout, variant 2
SP3607Aetched runout
SP3607Betched runout
T1 A&M SP 3613 RE-1 T-5Side A runout, Variation 1
T1 A&M SP 3614 RE-1 TlSide B runout, Variation 1
T1 A&M SP 3613 RE-1 T4Side A runout, Variation 2
T1 A&M SP 3614 RE-1 T1Side B runout, Variation 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | A&M Records L-35,112 / A&M Records L 35112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | A&M Records SP-3607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | France | A&M Records 875020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | A&M Records 875020First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1974 | Germany | A&M Records 87 709 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 63607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | A&M Records AML-201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | A&M Records AML 35112First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | A&M Records SP-3607First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 63607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Spain | A&M Records 87709-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 63607First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | South Korea | A&M Records SP-3607 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RA 344LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Korea | A&M Records SP-3607 / Sung Eum Limited SEL-RA 344LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-3607LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 63607LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 87 709 ITLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLH 63607LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-3607LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
40 vinyl pressings of Hero And Heroine are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1974 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLH 63607, released April 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLH 63607, SP-3607, L-35,112, 875020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLH+63607+A OR and To Robert LeHevre AMLH+63607+B B OR. 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.
