Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Hallyday · 1966
Si J'étais Un Charpentier was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year. 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.
PHI AA 437281 1 E D3 380Runout side A - Version 1
PHI AA 437281 2E D2 380Runout side B - Version 1
PHI AA 437281 1E D1 380Runout side A - Version 2
PHI AA 437281 2E D1 380Runout side B - Version 2
PHI AA 437281 1E D1 380Stamped Side A
PHI AA 437281 2 E 380Stamped Side B
437.281 1ELabel Side A
437.281 2ELabel Side B
PHI AA 437 281 1E 380Runout side A, stamped
PHI AA 437 281 2E D1 380Runout side B, stamped
437.281 1ELabel side A
437.281 2ELabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | France | Philips 437.281 BEFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1966 | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BEFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1966 | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BEFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1967 | Spain | Philips 437 281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Mercury 532 106-97", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Philips 437.281 BE / Philips 437 281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | Philips 437.281 BE7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
10 vinyl pressings of Si J'étais Un Charpentier are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1966 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in France. One of them is Philips 437.281 BE, released December 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 437.281 BE) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHI AA 437281 1 E D3 380 and PHI AA 437281 2E D2 380. 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.
