Vinyl pressings
by The Crusaders · 1973
Unsung Heroes 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.
10 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 5 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.
TI BTS 6007 6035-3TMLside A runout, variant 1
TI BTS6007 6036 RE-1-2TMLside B runout, variant 1
I BTS 6007 6035-1A TMLside A runout, variant 2
I BTS 6007 6036 RE-1 TMLside B runout, variant 2
BTS 6007 6035-RE-1 TMLSide A runout
BTS 6007 6036 RE-1 X TMLSide B runout
S1 BTS 6007 6035-1A TML A9Runout A, variant 1
S1 BTS 6007 6036 RE-1 TML A6Runout B, variant 1
S1 BTS 6007 6035-1A TML B2Runout A, variant 2
S1 BTS 6007 6036 RE-1 TML A1Runout B, variant 2
P BTS 6007 6035-RE-1 TMLRunout side A
P BTS 6007 6036 RE-1 X TMLRunout side B
6035Label side A
6036Label 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 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT 10030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT. 10.030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 87 351 ITFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTSJ 6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007 / Chisa BTS 6007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007 / Chisa BTS 6007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records SWAO 95508 / Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1973 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS-6007LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SWX-6142LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YS-8013-AULP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Blue Thumb YW-8045-AULP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5180LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records ABCL 5180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5180LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Unsung Heroes are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 6007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 6007, BT 10030, BT. 10.030, 87 351 IT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TI BTS 6007 6035-3TML and TI BTS6007 6036 RE-1-2TML. 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.
