Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1971
Superstar was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 13 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.
N-L-N-917M10 G-7111 [ARP] LENNYRunout, side A, etched, except [stamped]
⋉ [A4KM-3835-1] G-7111F-B N-L-N-873S01 [ARP]Runout, side B, etched, except [stamped]
N-L-N-917M10Label side A
N-L-N 873S01Label side B
N-L-N-91710 G-7111 LENNYA-side runout, etched
G-7111 F-B N-L-N-873S01B-side runout, etched
A4KM-3385-1 AB-side runout, stamped
917M10A-side label
917M10mono label
929S02stereo label
929S02stereo label
917M10mono 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-9750First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Tamla Motown G-7111FFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 006-93 024 MFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | India | Tamla Motown TMG. 800First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Ireland | Tamla Motown TMG 800First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93024First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 006-93 024First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.819First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMS 357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Sweden | Tamla Motown 4E 006-93024First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Turkey | Tamla Motown 71808First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 800First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Gordy G 7111FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Gordy G 7111F AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | Venezuela | Motown 13.246First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 006-93 0247", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | Tamla Motown G 7111 F7", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Lebanon | Tamla Motown G 7111 F / Tamla Motown TA 70507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Superstar are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy G 7111F, released October 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G 7111F, G 7111F A, TMG 800, TMO-9750) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N-L-N-917M10 G-7111 [ARP] LENNY and ⋉ [A4KM-3835-1] G-7111F-B N-L-N-873S01 [ARP]. 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.
