Vinyl pressings
by Graham Nash · 1971
Chicago / Simple Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 16 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.
A-21949-2 4•27•71 [Artisan] ATRun-out Side A, etched (Artisan logo stamped)
[Artisan] A - 21950 - 1 4•27•71 ATRun-out Side B, etched (Artisan logo stamped)
A-21949 SPA-side label
A-21950 SPSide One label
A-21949-PLA label
A-21950-PLB label
A-21949LYA label
A-21950LYB label
A-21949-MOLabel Side A
A-21950-MOLabel Side B
A-21949-1 4-27-71 ATRunout, side A
ST-A-21949-1 E [Artisan logo]Runout, side B
A-21949 SPLabel, side A
ST-A-21949 SPLabel, side B
A-21949 SPLabel, side A
A-21950 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Atlantic 45-2804First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT.2804First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Atlantic AT.2804First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 650 232 L / Atlantic 10.017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 017 / Atlantic N° 10 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Atlantic 10 017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Atlantic 10.017 / Atlantic 100 17First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Greece | Atlantic 2091 096First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Greece | Atlantic 2091 096First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1971 | Italy | Atlantic K 10017 / Atlantic SD 2804First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Lebanon | Atlantic 2091096First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Atlantic ATL.72First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1971 | Philippines | Atlantic 45-2804First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Atlantic 21640207", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Atlantic 650.232 / Atlantic 6502327", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Atlantic 10 0177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Atlantic 45-28047", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Chicago / Simple Man are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Netherlands, Japan and more. One of them is Atlantic 45-2804, released May 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-2804, 2804, 2091 096, 2091 099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-21949-2 4•27•71 [Artisan] AT and [Artisan] A - 21950 - 1 4•27•71 AT. 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.
