Vinyl pressings
by Aphrodite's Child · 1968
Rain And Tears was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 22 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.
AA 132 501 - 1F // 3 520 8-11-68Runout side A
AA 132 501 - 2F // 2 520 10-9-68Runout side B
123 501.1 FLabel side A
123 501.2 FLabel side B
AA 132 501 - 1F //2 520 10-9-68Side A, runout, etched
AA 132 501 - 2F // 2 520 10-9-68Side B, runout, etched
132 501.1 FSide A, label
132 501.2 FSide B, label
AA 132 501 - 1F // 3 520 8-11-68Runout side A
AA 132 501 - 2F // 2 520 10-9-68Runout side B
123 501.1 FLabel side A
123 501.2 FLabel side B
AA 132 501 - 1F // 3 520 8-11-68Runout side A
AA 132 501 - 1F // 2 520 30-10-68Runout side B
51 132501 1F▽ 1 420 1Runout side A
1 132501 2F▽ 1 420 11Runout side B
132 501 1FLabel side A
132 501 2FLabel side B
132501 1F▽ 1.420 1 3Runout side A
132501 2F▽ 1 420Runout side B
132 501 1FLabel side A
132 501 2FLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Mercury RF-1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Mercury 132.501 MCF / Mercury 132501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Mercury 132 501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Belgium | Mercury 132.501 MCF / Mercury 132501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Belgium | Mercury 132 501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Mercury 132.501 MCF / Mercury 132501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Brazil | Mercury CSM 61.004First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | Brazil | Mercury CSM 61.004First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Canada | Philips PH. 40549First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Chile | Mercury 132 501 MCFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Mercury 132.501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF / Mercury 132 501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | France | Mercury 132.501 MCFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Mercury 132 501 MCFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Ireland | Mercury 6033 0137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Mercury 1325017", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | France | Mercury 6033 0137", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 / Mercury 132.501MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Mercury 132.501 MCF / Mercury 132.501MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 132 501 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
59 vinyl pressings of Rain And Tears are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1968 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in Italy, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 132501 MCF.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 132501 MCF, AS 040, MF 1039, 40549) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 132 501 - 1F // 3 520 8-11-68 and AA 132 501 - 2F // 2 520 10-9-68. 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.
