Vinyl pressings
by The Emotions · 1976
Flowers was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1976, 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.
PAL 34163 1B TML-S B 1 SRunout side A, variant 1
PBL 34163 1A TML-M A6 1 SRunout side B, variant 1
PAL 34163 1A TML-M A 3 1 SRunout side A, variant 2
PBL 34163 1B TML-S A 1 1 SRunout side B, variant 2
P PAL 34163 1C TML-MRunout A variant 1
P PBL 1̶34163-1gRunout B variant 1
P PAL34163 1D TML-SRunout A variant 2
P PBL 34163 1D TML-MRunout B variant 2
PAL 34163 1C TLM-MRunout A, etched
PBL 34163 1D TLM-MRunout A, stamped
PAL 34163 1D TML-S (Variant 1)Runout A, etched. TML-S stamped
PBL 34163 1C TML-S (Variant 2)Runout B, etched. TML-S stamped
P PAL34163 ID TML-SA side runout etched [except TML-S]
P PBL 34163 ID TML-MB side runout etched [except TML-M]
AL 34163A side label
BL 34163B side label
PAL 34163 1A TML-M A3 1 SSide 1
PBL 34163 1B TML-S A4 1 SSide 2
T1 PAL 34163 1F TML-S A3Side A Runout
T1 PBL 34163 1F A1 TML-MSide B Runout
AL 34163Side A Label
BL 34163Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234890First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 234890First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Philippines | CBS/Sony APP-1083 / CBS/Sony 1083First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2760LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 81639First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 81639First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S CBS 81639First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163 / Columbia 34163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163 / Columbia 34163First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34163First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Columbia PC 34163LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34163LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Flowers are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34163.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34163, S CBS 81639, SBP 234890, 25AP 331) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 34163 1B TML-S B 1 S and PBL 34163 1A TML-M A6 1 S. 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.
