Vinyl pressings
by The Sweepers · 1973
Harlem Song 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.
21 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
AK 4022-A//20867-1-Y-8Runout side A, variant 1
AK 4022-B//20868-1-Y-8Runout side B, variant 1
AK 4022-A//20867-1-Y-8 3 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
AK 4022-B//20868-1-Y-8 4 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
MX171319A
MX171320B
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBA 4050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records F 16318First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | France | Warner Bros. Records 16 318First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Warner Bros. Records 16 318First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Warner Bros. Records 16 318First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 318 / Warner Bros. Records F 16 318First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 318First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 318 / Warner Bros. Records F 16 318First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Israel | Warner Bros. Records K 16318First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records K 16318First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1272WFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1272WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Madagascar | Warner Bros. Records WBS 134First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 16318First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records N-S-63-53First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Warner Bros. Records WB 060 / Warner Bros. Records Inc. 163187", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Harlem Song are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 16318.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 16318, K 16318, REP 1200, WBA 4050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AK 4022-A//20867-1-Y-8 and AK 4022-B//20868-1-Y-8. 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.
