Vinyl pressings
by The Arbors · 1969
The Letter 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.
21 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 10 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.
JZSP150049-1A P 1Side A - Stamped
ZSP150050-1B P 3Side B - Stamped
ZSP150049-1B P 3Side A Variant 2 - Stamped
ZSP150050-1B P 3Side B Variant 2 - Stamped
ZSP 150049Label side A
ZSP 150050Label side B
ZSP 150049A-side label
ZSP 150050B-side label
JZSP150049-1ASide A - Stamped
ZSP150050-1BSide B - Stamped
ZSP 150049A-side label
ZSP 150050B-side label
ZSP150049-1E TIIIII WSide A runout stamped & etched
ZSP150050-1E TIIIII WSide B runout stamped & etched
ZSP 150049Side A label
ZSP 150050Side B label
ZSP150049-1D sssA-Side Runout, stamped [except Pressing Plant ID]
ZSP150050-1D sssssssB-Side Runout, stamped [except Pressing Plant ID]
ZSP 150049A-Side Label
ZSP 150050B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | CBS BA-221614First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Brazil | Epic 66028First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Date 2-1638First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | Date 2-1638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | CBS 4137First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461224First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Portugal | CBS 4137First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | UK | CBS 4137First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | US | Date 2-1638First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of The Letter are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Canada, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Date 2-1638, released January 17, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2-1638, 4137, BA-221614, 66028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JZSP150049-1A P 1 and ZSP150050-1B P 3. 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.
