Vinyl pressings
by The Jackson 5 · 1970
Third Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 17 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.
MS-718 Z4RS-3685-1-B ISide-1 runout variant 1
MS-718 Z4RS-3686-1-B ISide-2 runout variant 1
MS-718 Z4RS-3685 -1-A I LP D2 1-SSide 1 runout variant 2
MS-718 Z4RS-3686-1-B I LP A2 2-SSide 2 runout variant 2
Z4RS-3685-1-D MS-718 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HA Side runout [Z4RS-3685-1-D, stamp]
Z4RS-3686-1-E MS-718 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K HB Side runout [Z4RS-3686-1-E, stamp]
⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K = Randy Kling (mastering)
MS-718 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 8•31•70 HS-1795Side A Etched
MS-718 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K 8•31•70 HS-1796Side B Etched
̶Z̶4̶R̶S̶-̶3̶6̶8̶6̶-̶1̶-̶F̶Side A & B Stamped [Strike Out]
HS 1795Side A Label
Z4RS-3685-1 A-A1B MS-718 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A etched / Z4RS-3685-1 A stamped
Z4RS-3686-1-A1A MS-718 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B etched / Z4RS-3686-1 stamped
Z4RS-3685-1 A B1 MS-718 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A etched / Z4RS-3685-1 A stamped (Variant 2)
Z4RS-3686-1 A -A2 MS-718 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B etched / Z4RS-3686-1 stamped (Variant 2)
MS-718Side A Etched
MS-718 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B Etched
Z4RS-3685-1-E HSide A Stamped
Z4RS-3686-1-D HSide B Stamped
MS-718 5-1 お [ I G1 Z4RS-3685-1-B]Side A Runout, Etched, [Stamped]
MS-718 5-2 お [ I D2 Z4RS-3686-1-B]Side B Runout, Etched, [Stamped]
HS 1795 Z4RS-3685Side A Label
HS 1796 Z4RS-3686Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Argentina | Tamla Motown TML-10019First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO-10056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Brazil | Motown M 718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Brazil | Motown M 718 / Tapecar M 718First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Tamla Motown MS-718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Colombia | Tamla Motown MS-718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Tamla Motown 2 C062-91851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | India | Tamla Motown STML 11174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown MS-718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown SJET-8292First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown SJET-8292LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown SJET-8292First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STMLM 6066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Peru | Odeon Del Peru M.S. 718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Philippines | Tamla Motown STML 11174 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 91851First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France & Benelux | Motown 535019LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIP-4127LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-157V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5037LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Europe | Tamla Motown WL72239LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Motown SNL1-60238 / Tamla Motown SNL1-60238LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Tamla Motown 0602527230733LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy | Tamla Motown STML 11174LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2024 | US | Motown 620922 / UMe 620922LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Japan | Motown UIJY-75375LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 230∙15∙052LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Mexico | Tamla Motown STAM 250LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | 中聲 CSJ-994LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
51 vinyl pressings of Third Album are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1970 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Motown MS-718.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS-718, MS 718, MS718, TML-10019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS-718 Z4RS-3685-1-B I and MS-718 Z4RS-3686-1-B I. 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.
