Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Mathis · 1968
Those Were The Days was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 9 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.
XSM 137433 -1A 2 TSide A runout stamped, variant 1
XSM 137434 -1A 21 TSide B runout stamped, variant 1
T o XSM 137433 -1A. A 2 B 5Side A runout etched, o A B stamped, variant 2
T o XSM 137434 -1A. G 8Side B runout etched, o G stamped, variant 2
XSM 137433 5701runout side 1 etched
XSM 137434 5660runout side 2 etched
XSM 137433 -1B. o A 4 Ƨ 1Side A runout etched, o A B stamped
XSM 137434 -1B. o A 7 Ƨ 1Side B runout etched, o G stamped, variant 2
XSM 137433Side A label
XSM 137434Side B label
XSM137433-1D C 2Runout Side A
XSM137434-1D F 3Runout Side B
XSM 137433Label Side A
XSM 137434Label Side B
SBPG 63427 - A1
SBPG 63427 - B1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | CBS 8.926First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Australia | CBS SBP 233611First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia CS 9705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Columbia CS 9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Costa Rica | CBS CS 9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | CBS S 63 427 / CBS 679 464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 473613First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1332First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | CBS CBS 63427First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CL 2905First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Columbia CS 9705First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | CBS 37601LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Music For Pleasure MFP 5977LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | CBS CL 5272 / CBS CL-5272LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Those Were The Days are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia CS9705.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS9705, CL 2905, CS 9705, CBS 63427) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM 137433 -1A 2 T and XSM 137434 -1A 21 T. 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.
