Vinyl pressings
by Joe South · 1969
Games People Play was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ST-1-235-B4• 2 ✲Runout A, Var. 1
ST-2-235-B4• 1 ✲Runout B, Var. 1
ST-1-235-B4• 1 ✲Runout A, Var. 2
ST-2-235-B4• 1 ✲Runout B, Var. 2
ST1 80235Runout side A, etched
2Runout side A, stamped
ST2 80235Runout side B, etched
2Runout side B, stamped
ST-1-235-H3 #2 ORunout side A, variant 1
ST 2 235 W1 #1 ORunout side B, variant 1
ST 1 235 W1 #1 ORunout side A, variant 2
ST-2-235-A3 #2 ORunout side B, variant 2
ST-1-235-A1Runout side A, etched
I AM in triangleRunout side A, stamped
ST-2-235-W3#2Runout side B, etched
I AM in triangleRunout side B, stamped
ST1-235-B2Runout side A, etched
I AM in triangleRunout side A, stamped
ST2-235-B2Runout side B, etched
I AM in triangleRunout side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | Italy | Capitol Records ST 235 / Capitol Records 3C 062-80210First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-235 / Capitol Records ST 8-0235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records ST-235First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S/5153 / World Record Club S-5153LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records SY-4508LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SY-4508LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Games People Play are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1969 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada, Italy, New Zealand. One of them is Capitol Records ST-235.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-235, ST 235) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-235-B4• 2 ✲ and ST-2-235-B4• 1 ✲. 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.
