Vinyl pressings
by ABBA · 1977
The Name Of The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
52 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 30 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.
POS 1234 A3Variant 1, runout side A, stamped
POS 1234 B3Variant 1, runout side B, stamped
POS-1234-A-2Variant 2, runout side A, etched
POS-1234-B-1Variant 2, runout side B, etched
POS-1234-A-2Etched side A
POS 1234 B AStamped side B
POS 1234 A3Stamped runout A (Variation 1)
POS 1234 B3Stamped runout B (Variation 1)
EPC-S-5750-A-2 A 1GA-side run-out, variant 1
EPC-S-5750-B-1 C 2B-side run-out, variant 1
EPC-S.-5750-A-3A-side run-out, variant 2
EPC-S-5750.B-2B-side run-out, variant 2
5750-176Run-out side A, etched
S EPC 5750A*Label side A
S EPC 5750B*Label side B
<small>EPC.S.5750-A-2</small> EPC-S-5750-A-2 A 1GA-side Run-out, Hand-etched (variant 1)
EPC-S-5750-B-1 C 2B-side Run-out, Hand-etched (variant 1)
EPC-S-5750-A-1A-side Run-out, Hand-etched (variant 2)
EPC-S.5750-B-3B-side Run-out, Hand-etched (variant 2)
ST-A 34557-1 @GP 1-1 SRCRunout side A
ST-A-34556-2 SP ATLANTIC STUDIOS G.P.Runout side B
ST-A-34557 SPLabel side A
ST-A-34556 SPLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 103006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 103006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Austria | Polydor 2001 742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Austria | Polydor 2001 742First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Austria | Polydor 2001 7427", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Brazil | RCA 101.8083 / RCA Victor 101 8083First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Atlantic AT 3449First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Chile | RCA Victor POS - 1234First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Denmark | Polar POS 1234First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10171First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | France | Melba 45. X. 140.314 / Melba 45. X. 140314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Melba 45. X. 140.314 / Melba 45. X. 140314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2001 742First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Pan-Vox PAN 7599First year7" | 7" |
| 1977 | Hungary | Pepita SPSK 70297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Discomate DSP-1557", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Polar 006025576251727", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Panama | RCA XAPBO-735– / RCA XAPBO-7357", Single | 7", Single |
61 vinyl pressings of The Name Of The Game are listed here, from 35 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Sweden, UK, US, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is Polar POS 1234, released October 17, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POS 1234, S EPC 5750, 3449, S 54 014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POS 1234 A3 and POS 1234 B3. 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.
