Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1973
Masterpiece 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.
43 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 23 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.
̶G̶7̶1̶2̶6̶8̶ 61874-X 1-26-73 ̶1̶3̶0̶2̶3̶1̶1̶-̶0̶2̶A̶Runout Side A
̶G̶7̶1̶2̶6̶F̶ 61875-X 6187-S 1-26-73 ̶1̶3̶0̶2̶3̶1̶1̶-̶0̶2̶A̶Runout Side B
61874-SLabel Side A
6187-SLabel Side B
G7126F-61874-SA side runout
G7126F-61875-SB side runout
61874-SLabel Side A
61875-SLabel Side B
G7126F-61874 G-7126-AS 1A 1302311-17ALabel Side A
G7126F-61875 G-7126-AS 1B 1302311-17BLabel Side B
1302311-08A G7126AF-61874Runout, side A, etched
1302311-08A G7126BF-61875Runout, side B, etched
61874-SLabel side A
61875-SLabel side B
G7126F-61874-S-1 (MR) 1 △90694 1302311-07BA side runout, etched
G7126F-61875-M-2 △90695-X 1302311-07BB side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Unknown | Tamla Motown TMG 20014First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-10204First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Barbados | Tamla Motown G 7126FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Tamla Motown 4 C006-94223 / Tamla Motown 4 C 006-94223First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Belgium | Tamla Motown 4 C006-94223 / Tamla Motown 4 C 006-94223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Gordy CS 7126 / Tapecar CS 7126First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Tamla Motown G 7126FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 006-94223 / Tamla Motown 2C 006 - 94.223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-94 223 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-94 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-94 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-94 223 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-94 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 006-94 223 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-94 223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Greece | Tamla Motown GTM 188First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | India | Tamla Motown TMG 854First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | India | Tamla Motown TMG 854First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Motown JET-21767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | Motown G-7126F7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
47 vinyl pressings of Masterpiece are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1973 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Gordy G 7126F.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 7126F, TMG 20014, TMG 854, TMO-10204) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ̶G̶7̶1̶2̶6̶8̶ 61874-X 1-26-73 ̶1̶3̶0̶2̶3̶1̶1̶-̶0̶2̶A̶ and ̶G̶7̶1̶2̶6̶F̶ 61875-X 6187-S 1-26-73 ̶1̶3̶0̶2̶3̶1̶1̶-̶0̶2̶A̶. 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.
