Vinyl pressings
by The Chi-Lites · 1973
A Letter To Myself 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.
11 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BMG-5045-R1 [IAM triangle]Runout side A variant 1
BMG-5046-R1 #2 [IAM triangle]Runout side B variant 1
BMG-5045-R1 [IAM triangle]Runout side A variant 2
BMG-5046-R1 [IAM triangle]Runout side B variant 2
BMG-5045-R3' 1 ✲Runout A etched / 1 ✲ stamped
BMG-5046-R-3' 1 ✲Runout A etched / 1 * stamped
BMG 5045Matrix A, on label
BMG 5046Matrix B, on label
BL 754188 - A 1A-Side Runout - Stamped
BL 754188 - B 1B-Side Runout - Stamped
BMG 5045A-Side Label
BMG 5046B-Side Label
ZBL-13-1L 2 DStamped in runout, Side A
ZBL-14-1LStamped in runout, Side B
ZBL 13Printed on label, Side A
ZBL 14Printed on label, 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 | Brazil | Brunswick OW-571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Brunswick BL754188 / Brunswick 754188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19152First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 6671First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Brunswick BL 754188 / Brunswick 754188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Brunswick BL-754188 / Brunswick BL754188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Brunswick BL 754188 / Brunswick 754188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Brunswick BL 754188First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Brunswick BL 754188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Brunswick BRLS 3007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Spain | Zafiro ZLB- 2013LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Brunswick ZLB- 2013 / Zafiro ZLB- 2.013LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Brunswick GP-1042LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Brunswick BL754188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of A Letter To Myself are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Brunswick BL 754188.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BL 754188, BL-754188, BRLS 3007, OW-571) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BMG-5045-R1 [IAM triangle] and BMG-5046-R1 #2 [IAM triangle]. 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.
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1971 · 22 pressings
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