Vinyl pressings
by The Jackson 5 · 1976
Anthology 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 8 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.
M7-868R3 2601-S-06A (MR) △ 20996 #13 GMSide A, etched, MR in circle, stamped
M7-868R3 2602-S-06A (MR) △ 20996-X #13 GMSide B, etched, MR in circle, stamped
M7-868R3 2603-S-06 A (MR) △ 20997 #13 GMSide C, etched, MR in circle, stamped
M7-868R3 2604-S-06A (MR) △ 20997=X #13 GMSide D, etched, MR in circle, stamped
M7-868R3 2601-S-06A [MR in circle] △ 20996 #13 GMRecord 1 Side 1 etched
M7-868R3 2602-S-06A [MR in circle] △ 20996-X #13 GMRecord 1 Side 2 etched
M7-868R3 2603-S-06A T [MR in circle] △ 20997 #13 GMRecord 2 Side 1 etched
M7-868R3 2604-S-06A T [MR in circle] △ 20997-X #13 GMRecord 2 Side 2 etched
M7-868R3 2601-S-06A [MR Logo] △ 20996 #12 GMRecord 1 Side 1, Etched [MR Logo Stamped]
M7-868R3 2602-S-06B [MR Logo] △ 20996-X #3 #12 GMRecord 1 Side 2, Etched [MR Logo Stamped, #3 Struck Through]
M7-868R3 2603-S-06B [MR Logo] △ 20997 #12Record 2 Side 1, Etched [MR Logo Stamped, 2 In #12 Struck Through]
M7-868R3 2604-S-06A [MR Logo] △ 20997-X #12 GMRecord 2 Side 2, Etched [MR Logo Stamped]
"A" M7-868R3 2601-S-06A (MR) △ 20996 #[13 scratched out]15 ZSX GMSide 1, etched, MR in circle, stamped
"B" M7-868R3 2602-S-06B (MR) △ 20996-X #[13 scratched out]15 ZSX GMSide 2, etched, MR in circle, stamped
"C" M7-868R3 2603-S-06 A (MR) △ 20997 #[13 scratched out]15 ZSX GMSide 3, etched, MR in circle, stamped
"D" M7-868R3 2604-S-06A (MR) △ 20997-X #[13 scratched out]15 ZSX GMSide 4, etched, MR in circle, stamped
M7-868R3 2601-S-06B △20996 (5) GMRunout Side A [Etched]
M7-868R3 2602-S-06B △20996-X (5) GMRunout Side B [Etched]
M7-868R3 2603-S-06B △20997 (2)Runout Side C [Etched]
M7-868R3 2604-S-06B △20997-X (3)Runout Side D [Etched]
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 | Brazil | Top Tape M6-868-1 / Motown M6-868-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown M-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | France | Motown 2C 182-98.305-6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Mexico | Motown STAMC-680First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Philippines | Tamla Motown TM-2321First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | Motown 28257-XHFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Motown M7-868R3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Venezuela | Tamla Motown LPS 88679 (3) / Tamla Motown LPS-88.679 -3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. km-2068LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Motown M 868/3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Italy | Motown ATMLP 26034LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | Motown ZL72157(2)LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Motown ATMLP 26034LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
22 vinyl pressings of Anthology are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1976 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Brazil, Canada, France and more. One of them is Motown M7-868R3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M7-868R3, M6-868-1, M-868R3, 2C 182-98.305-6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M7-868R3 2601-S-06A (MR) △ 20996 #13 GM and M7-868R3 2602-S-06A (MR) △ 20996-X #13 GM. 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.
