Vinyl pressings
by Don McLean · 1973
Playin' Favorites 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.
18 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
UAG 29528 A - 1Side A runout stamped
UAG 29528 B - 2Side B runout stamped
UAG 29528 ALabel side A
UAG 29528 BLabel side B
UA-LA-161F S⃫ -1-1-1 STERLING [A] T ISide A / etched, exc. STERLING / stamped
UA-LA-161F S⃫ -2-1-1 STERLING [A] 3 T ISide B / etched, exc. STERLING / stamped
UA-LA-161-S-1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ 22Side A Runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, stamped)
UA-LA-161-S-2 22 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢSide B Runout, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ, stamped)
UA-LA-161-S-1 2 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
UA-LA-161-S-2X 2Runout side B, variant 1
UA-LA-161-S-1 3 STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
UA-LA-161-S-2 3 STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
P UA-LA-161-[S scratched out]F-1 STERLING Λ 0Side A Runout
P UA-LA-161-[S scratched out]F-2 STERLINGSide B Runout
UA-LA161-FSide A Label
UA-LA161-FSide B Label
UA-LA-161-FS̶ -A 1A STERLING S1Runout Side A
1UA-LA-161F ̶S̶-̶2̶1̶F̶B 1A STERLING S1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | BGO Records BGOLP 21LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
25 vinyl pressings of Playin' Favorites are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is United Artists Records UAG 29528.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UAG 29528, UA-LA161-F, L 35000, UAS 29 528 Y) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UAG 29528 A - 1 and UAG 29528 B - 2. 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.
