Vinyl pressings
by The Crusaders · 1973
At Their Best 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.
6 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
M-796-VI C4RS-7962-1-13B TVC ARunout side A, etched
M-796-VI C4RS-7963-2-13A TVC ARunout side B, etched
C4RS-7962-1Label side A
C4RS-7965-2Label side B
C4RS-7962-1Side A Label
C4RS-7965-2Side B Label
M 769 V1 C4RS 7962-1 035BSide A Etching
A2 C4RS 79635 2 01BSide B Etching
M-796-V1 C4RS-7962-1-13B J/C A2 EX-DRunout, side A
M-796-V1 C4RS-7963-2-13A J/C A2 EX-DRunout, side B
C4RS-7962-1Label, side A
C4RS-7963-2Label, side B
M796 V1 C4RS 7962-1-03B HRunout A stamped, 'H' scratched out
C4RS 7962 2-03B -1 A2Runout B stamped
C4RS-7962-1Label A
C4RS-7962-2Label 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 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-ST 60056First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 796V1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 796V1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 796V1 DJFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 796V1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 796V1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-195V1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-195V1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | France & Benelux | Motown 535042LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | Canada | Motown M-195 / MOM-195LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Spain | Motown SNL1-60205LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Motown 535042LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Motown 230·15·070LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Philippines | Motown MLP 4519LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of At Their Best are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Italy. One of them is Motown M 796V1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 796V1, M 796V1 DJ, TSM-ST 60056) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-796-VI C4RS-7962-1-13B TVC A and M-796-VI C4RS-7963-2-13A TVC A. 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.
