Vinyl pressings
by Oscar Peterson · 1968
Action 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.
3 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 3 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.
1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z 25 59970 = 2 A SB 15178 ARunout side A variant 1
1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z 25 59970 B = 2 SB 15178 ABRunout side B variant 1
1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z 25 599970 = 2 A SB 15178 ̷B̷ A B IRunout side A variant 2
1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z F 25 599970 B = 2 SB 15178 BRunout side B variant 2
Side A; 1 109628 A//2 420 1 1 (583718 etched above)
583718 B//2 420 1 1 1
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 | Germany | MPS Records MPS 15 178 STFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | MPS Records MPS 15,0050First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Polydor 583 718First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Prestige PRST 7690LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | MPS Records YS-2206-MPLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | MPS Records CRM 668 / BASF CRM 668LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1971 | UK | MPS Records BMPS 19-20668LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | MPS Records BMPS 19-20668 / BASF 21 20668-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | Argentina | Microfon Argentina S.A. 20668 / BASF ESTEREO 20668LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | South Africa | BASF BFL 3015LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | MPS Records MPS 821 841-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1975 | Japan | MPS Records ULS 1697 PLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1976 | Canada | MPS Records MC 20668LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1976 | Spain | MPS Records 21 20668-8 / BASF 35 53642LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1976 | US | MPS Records MC 20668LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1977 | Japan | MPS Records ULX-77-PLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7059LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7059LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7059LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Jazz Unlimited Special Series JUN-9016LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Germany | MPS Records 0219788MSW / MPS Records MPS15178STLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MPS Records 21 20668-8 / BASF 21 20668-8LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Brazil | MPS Records MDLP-12351LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | MPS Records MPS 15008LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 21 20668-8 / BASF 21 20668-8LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 68.073 / MPS Records 0068.073LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 68.073 / MPS Records SB 15 178 STLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Japan | MPS Records UPS-21 35-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | MPS Records YP-7010-MPLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | MPS Records ULS-1571-P / BASF ULS-1571-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | MPS Records 68 073 / MPS Records MPS15178LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | MPS Records 68 073 / MPS Records MPS15178LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | MPS Records MPS 15 178 / Dargil MPS 15 178LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Pausa Records PR 7059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Prestige PR 7690LP, Album | LP, Album |
36 vinyl pressings of Action are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1968 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in Germany, UK, South Africa. One of them is MPS Records MPS 15 178 ST.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MPS 15 178 ST, 583 718, MPS 15,0050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z 25 59970 = 2 A SB 15178 A and 1 Ⓟ 1968 D8 ◇Z 25 59970 B = 2 SB 15178 AB. 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.
