US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Pitman, First pressing
- Runout / matrix
P(stamped/inverted) °(stamped) A+M 1700-1(scribed)A side deadwax
P(stamped/inverted) °(stamped) A+M 1701-1(scribed)B side deadwax
Vinyl pressings
Black Pearl
by The Checkmates LTD. · 1969
36 pressings14 countriesSoulFunk / Soul
Black Pearl 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Black Pearl
31 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 12 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.
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053Phil Spector Productions 1053
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M 1700-7A-side runout etching (variant 1)
A+M 1701-7B-side runout etching (variant 1)
p o A+M 1700-1 2A-side runout etching (variant 2)
p o A+M 1701-1 2B-side runout etching (variant 2)
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M-1700 MR Δ75576Etched runout, side A (MR stamped in circle)
A&M 1701-18 M̶R̶ Δ̶1̶3̶2̶3̶0̶ Δ75576-XEtched runout, side A (upside down MR stamped in circle)
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M 1700-7Runout (Etched) Side A, variant 1
A+M 1701-7Runout (Etched) Side B variant 1
p o A+M 1700-1A-Side Runout Etching variant 2
p o A+M 1701-1B-Side Runout Etching variant 2
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053Phil Spector Productions 1053
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A+M 1700-7 TIA side runout etched, variant 1
A+M 1701-1 TIIIIIIIIIB side runout etched, variant 1
A+M 1700-7 TIIA side runout etched, variant 2
A+M 1701-7 TIIIIIIIIIB side runout etched, variant 2
US
1969- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 1053
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M 1700-7 TIRunout Side A
A&M 1701-7 TIIRunout Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 36 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s31 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Argentina | A&M Records 1140 / Phil Spector Productions 1140First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | A&M Records AMK-2985 / Phil Spector Productions AMK-2985First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Australia | A&M Records AMK-2985First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Australia | A&M Records AMK-2985 / Phil Spector Productions AMK-2985First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | A&M Records 7AM-5029First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | A&M Records 1053XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Canada | A&M Records 1053XFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Germany | A&M Records 210 071First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | A&M Records AM 840First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Mexico | A&M Records 50-021First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK-2985First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK-2985First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Norway | A&M Records 210 071First year7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | Norway | A&M Records 210 071First year7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | Portugal | A&M Records N-35-11First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | A&M Records 14 749 AT / Phil Spector Productions 14 749 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | A&M Records AM 0117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | A&M Records 14 749 AT7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | US | A&M Memories AM-85787", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| ? | US | A&M Records 10537", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
Tracklist
- ABlack Pearl3:25
- BLazy Susan3:37
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Black Pearl are there?
36 vinyl pressings of Black Pearl are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
When was Black Pearl first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 1053.
How do I tell if my copy of Black Pearl is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1053, AMS 752, 1140, AMK-2985) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P(stamped/inverted) °(stamped) A+M 1700-1(scribed) and P(stamped/inverted) °(stamped) A+M 1701-1(scribed). Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Black Pearl on vinyl worth?
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.
