Vinyl pressings
by The Supremes · 1969
The Composer was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 12 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.
W–S–J–571M07 X4KM–2723–1–DA-side runout etching, variant 1
Z1–K–J–573M03 X4KM–2724–1–BB-side runout etching, variant 1
W-S-J-571M07.. φA1A X4KM-2723-1-C RA-side runout etching, variant 2
Z1-K-J-573M03 φ C X4KM-2724-1-C RB-side runout etching, variant 2
W–S–J–571M07 X4KM–2723–1–DSide A
Z1–K–J–573M03 X4KM–2724–1–BSide B
W–S–J–571M07A-side runout etching
3-22-69-F-1 573-MO-3B-side runout etching
W-S-J-571M07A-side label (set 1)
Z1-K-J-573M03B-side label (set 1)
W-S-J-571M07Side A runout
573 M03 3-22-69-F-1(scratched out) 10 11 0Side B runout
W-S-J-571M07Label side A
Z1-K-J-573M03Label side B
W-S-J571M07 ARPRunout side A, etched, except [𝓐𝓡𝓟 logo] stamped, variant 1
3̶-̶2̶2̶-̶6̶9̶-̶F̶-̶1̶ 573M03 1 0 ARPRunout side B, etched, except [𝓐𝓡𝓟 logo] stamped, variant 1
W-S-J-571M07 ARPRunout side A, variant 2
3̶-̶2̶2̶-̶6̶9̶-̶F̶-̶1̶ 573M03 1 ⊙ ARPRunout side B, variant 2
W-S-J-571M07Label, both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8780First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8780First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown M-1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 006-90183 M / Tamla Motown 2 C 006 - 90183 MFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown TM 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Lebanon | Tamla Motown TA 7015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Mexico | Motown 6484First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown TM 25.974First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.723First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Sweden | Tamla Motown TMK 129First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Sweden | Tamla Motown TMK 129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Motown M 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Motown M-1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Motown M 1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | US | Motown M-1146First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown JET-1899Ⓢ / Motown JET-1899Ⓢ7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Japan | Tamla Motown JET-1899Ⓢ / Motown JET-18997", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Tamla Motown TA 70157", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of The Composer are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1969 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Denmark, Norway, Australia and more. One of them is Motown MOTOWN 1146, released March 27, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MOTOWN 1146, MOT-1146, M-1146, M 1146) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W–S–J–571M07 X4KM–2723–1–D and Z1–K–J–573M03 X4KM–2724–1–B. 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.
