Vinyl pressings
by Tom Jones · 1973
Letter To Lucille 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.
30 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 20 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.
ZXDR-53131-TI-1CRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
ZXDR-53132-TI-1CRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
ZXDR-53131-TI-1C M 2B JTRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
ZXDR-53132-TI-1C C 1 JTRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
ZXDR 53131-T1-1CSide A runout stamped
ZXDR 53132-T1-1CSide B runout stamped
ZXDR 53131Side A label number
ZXDR 53132Side B label number
XDR 53131A-side label
XDR 53132B-side label
XDR-53131-2 BellSound SF PREtched side A, except BellSound stamped
XDR-53132-2 BellSound SF PREtched side B, except BellSound stamped
XDR-53131-3... MR [Circled] △91257 Bell Sound SFSide A, Etched
XDR-53132-3... MR [Circled] -△91257 Bell Sound SFSide B, Etched
XDR 53131Side A, Label
XDR 53132Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Decca Y-10194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Decca 105-26.375YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Decca 105-26.375YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | London Records S7L-6118First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Parrot PAR.40074First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Denmark | Decca F 13393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Decca 84.139First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca DL 25 572First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca DL 25 572First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | Decca 6013 058First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Greece | Decca GD 5208First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Decca F 13393First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Italy | Decca F 13393First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | London Records TOP 1794First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Decca 6103058 / Decca 6103 058First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Decca P-F 13393D7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Letter To Lucille are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, France, Sweden and more. One of them is Decca F 13393, released April 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F 13393, 45-40074, 45-40074-DJ, 84.139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZXDR-53131-TI-1C and ZXDR-53132-TI-1C. 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.
