Vinyl pressings
by Nazareth · 1976
Play'n' The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 17 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.
TOPS - 113 - A -1U 1 GT MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, stamped, TOPS - 113 - A etched, variant 1
TOPS - 113 - B - 1U 1 G MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, stamped, TOPS - 113 - B etched, variant 1
TOPS - 113 - A -1U GR 1 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, stamped, TOPS - 113 - A etched, variant 2
TOPS - 113 - B - 1U GR 1 MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, stamped, TOPS - 113 - B etched, variant 2
TOPS - 113 - A -1U MASTERDISK RLSide A runout
TOPS - 113 - B - 1U MASTERDISK RLSide B runout
*108* AA 6370 418 1Y1 P1976 670 12 03Side A Runout
*108* AA 6370 418 2Y1 P1976 67 670 12 03Side B Runout 67 scratched out
T 1 SP-4957 T-1 Masterdisk RLSide 1 Etched/Stamped
T 1 SP-4958-T-2̶ 1Side 2 Etched
SP-4957 P-1 MASTERDISK RL PSide A Runout, variant 1
SP-4958-P-1 PSide B Runout, variant 1
SP-4957 P-1 MASTERDISK RL Λ PSide A Runout, variant 2
SP-4958-P-1 Λ PSide B Runout, variant 2
SP-4957A Side Label
SP-4958B Side Label
SP-4957-M-1 MR MASTERDISK RL Δ 21417(1)A Side Etch exc ᴍʀ, ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamps
SP-4958-M-1 MR Δ 21417-XB Side Etch exc ᴍʀ stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Austria | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Barbados | Philips 6370 418First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4610First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4610First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | France | Vertigo 9103 207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Greece | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Greece | Vertigo 6370 418First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Vertigo 6370 418 AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | Vertigo 6370 418 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1985 | UK | Sahara Records SAH 131LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Russia | Santa Records П94 RAT 30782LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV109LP / PHD RCV109LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2013 | UK | Back On Black RCV109LP/H / Salvo RCV109LP/HLP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 2019 | Europe | Salvo SALVO390LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6370 418LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Netherlands | Vertigo 6370 418LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5643 / Philips 6370 418LP, Album, Repress, Reissue | LP, Album, Repress, Reissue |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5643 / Philips 6370 418LP, Album, Repress, Reissue | LP, Album, Repress, Reissue |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB LP 5643 / Philips 6370 418LP, Album, Repress, Reissue | LP, Album, Repress, Reissue |
57 vinyl pressings of Play'n' The Game are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1976 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Mountain TOPS 113, released November 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TOPS 113, 6370 418, SP-4610, 9103 207) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOPS - 113 - A -1U 1 GT MASTERDISK RL and TOPS - 113 - B - 1U 1 G MASTERDISK RL. 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.
