Vinyl pressings
by Donovan · 1967
Universal Soldier was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MAL 718A-2 △FSide A runout, variant 1
MAL 718B-2 △FSide B runout, variant 1
MAL 718A-2 △F 2 KT LSide A runout, variant 2
MAL 718B-2 △F 1 KT YSide B runout, variant 2
MAL 718A-2 △F 2Runout side A
MAL 718B-2 △F 55Runout side B
MAL 718-ALabel side A
MAL 718-BLabel side B
MAL 718A-2 △FRunout side A, variant 1
MAL 718B-2 △FRunout side B, variant 1
MAL 718A-2 △F AORunout side A, variant 2
MAL 718B-2 △F KTRunout side B, variant 2
MAL 718A-2 △FStamped runout side A
MAL 718B-2 △FStamped runout side B
MAL 718-AOn label side A
MAL 718-BOn label side B
MAL 718 A-2 △F KTSide A runout, variant 1
MAL 718B-2 △F KTSide B runout, variant 1
MAL 718 A-2 △F 2 KT BNSide A runout, variant 2
MAL 718B-2 △F KT GGSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | Astor GG 995First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1967 | Australia | Astor GG 995 / Astor GG-995LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1967 | Canada | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Canada | Marble Arch MALS 718First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1967 | Canada | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Canada | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Chile | Pye Records PY - 038First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | New Zealand | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Marble Arch MAL 718First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Spain | Pye Records 85.782-VLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | PYE Records 200 728-241 / Pye Records 200 728LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Astor GG 995LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | PYE Records 200 728-241LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Pye Records MALS 718 / Marble Arch MAL 718LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Music For Leisure CP 290 / Marble Arch MAL 718LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of Universal Soldier are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1967 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in UK, Australia, Canada, Chile and more. One of them is Marble Arch MAL 718, released October 1967.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MAL 718, GG 995, MALS 718, PY - 038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAL 718A-2 △F and MAL 718B-2 △F. 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.
