Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1973
Anthology 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.
13 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
M-782-A3 • C4RS-7865-13ASide A runout etched, variant 1
M 782 A3 - C4RS-7866-13ASide B runout etched, variant 1
M 782-A3 C4RS-7867-13ASide C runout etched, variant 1
M-782-A3 C4RS-7868-13BSide D runout etched, variant 1
S M782A3 C4RS 7865-[scratch out] S-1 o 1B SX BRunout Side A, etched
S M782-C4RS-7866-1A o SX ARunout Side B, etched
I M782-C4RS-7867 1A oRunout Side C, etched
S 2 M782-C4RS-7868 1A o SX ARunout Side D, etched
M-782-A3 C4RS-7865-13A ZYU #15 TVCA2 AVariant 1 Runout Side A, etched
M 782 A3 - C4RS 7866-13A TVCA2 BVariant 1 Runout Side B, etched
M 782-A3 C4RS-7867-13A ZYU #15 TVCA2Variant 1 Runout Side C, etched
M-782-A3 C4RS-7868-13B TVCA2Variant 1 Runout Side D, etched
M-782-A3 • C4RS-7865-13ARunout Side A, etched
M 782 A3 - C4RS-7866-13ARunout Side B, etched
M 782-A3 C4RS-7867-13ARunout Side C, etched
M-782-A3 C4RS-7868-13BRunout Side D, etched
M-782-A3 • C4RS-7865-03A HRunout A etched / H stamped
M 782 A3 - C4RS-7866-03A HRunout B etched / H stamped
M 782-A3 C4RS-7867-03A HRunout C etched / H stamped
M-782-A3 C4RS-7868-03B HRunout D etched / H stamped
[Crossed Out]XX C5RS 7865-1 O1A A3Side A Runout Stamped Variant 1
C5RS 7870-6 O1A A1Side B Runout Stamped [Etched 6 Only] Variant 1
C5RS 7866-2 O1A A1Side C Runout Stamped Variant 1
C5RS 7869-5 O1A A3Side D Runout Stamped Variant 1
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 | Canada | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown M 782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-ST 62301 / Tamla Motown TSM ST 62301First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Tamla Motown SJET-9532-4 / Motown SMOT-9037First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Spain | Tamla Motown S-75014-15-16First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | UK | Tamla Motown M782A3 / Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M 782A3-1-DJ / Motown M 782A3-2-DJFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M782A3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Mexico | Tamla Motown STAMC-617LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Motown M782A3 / Motown M9-782A3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Motown M 782/3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | Tamla Motown ZL72178(2)LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | US | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Motown M 782LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Motown Records, Canada Ltd. M782A3 / Motown Records, Canada Ltd. M 782A3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Motown ATMLP 26031LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M782A3 / Motown M 782A3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M782A3LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Repress · Club edition |
| ? | US | Motown M782A3 / Motown M 782A3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Anthology are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1973 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Motown M782A3, released August 23, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M782A3, M 782A3-1-DJ, M 782A3, TSM-ST 62301) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-782-A3 • C4RS-7865-13A and M 782 A3 - C4RS-7866-13A. 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.
