Vinyl pressings
by Erroll Garner · 1955
Solitaire was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 2 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.
YMG 20063A MF4 I B2Runout A (Variant 1)
MG 20063B MS5 MSV+ I ΛIRunout B (Variant 1)
MG 20063A MS6 MSVI I A1Runout A (Variant 2)
MG20063B MSV+ I A1Runout B (Variant 2)
YMG 20063A MF3 M F ✲[starburst over the M F] I A1Side A runout
YMG 20063B MF 1 I A1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury MG 20063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury MG 20063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1955 | US | Mercury MG-20063 / Mercury MG 20063First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Mercury MG 20063 / Mercury MG-20063First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | UK | Mercury MVL 306LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Mercury SLP-6023LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Chile | Mercury MG 20063LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Mercury 134.506 MCYLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Mercury MG-20063 / Mercury MG 20063LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Mercury MG 20063 / Mercury MG-20063LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Mercury MG 20063LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Solitaire are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1955 and 1968.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Canada. One of them is Mercury MG-20063.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MG-20063, MG 20063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YMG 20063A MF4 I B2 and MG 20063B MS5 MSV+ I ΛI. 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.
