Vinyl pressings
by Paul Simon · 1975
50 Ways To Leave Your Lover was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 7 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.
T ZSS 161049-1C STERLINGSide A runout, var 1
T ZSS 161050-1C STERLINGSide B runout, var 1
T ZSS 161049-1D STERLINGSide A runout, var 2
TII ZSS 161050-1D STERLINGSide B runout, var 2
p ZSS 161049-1H STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
p ZSS 161050-1B STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 161049A-Side Label
ZSS 161050B-Side Label
ZSS 161049-1E ss STERLINGRunout side A
ZSS 161050-1F STERLINGRunout side B
ZSS 161049Label, Side A
ZSS 161050Label, Side B
p ZSP 161048-1H A STERLINGRunout side A
p ZSS 161049-1G STERLING 1Runout side B
ZSP 161048Label side A
ZSS 161049Label side B
T ZSP 161048-1D (etched) STERLING (stamped)Runout side A
T ZSS 161049-1C (etched) STERLING (stamped)Runout side B
ZSP 161048Label side A
ZSS 161049Label side B
ZSP 161048-1F STERLING SSide A Runout
ZSS 161049-1F STERLING SSide B Runout
ZSP 161048Side A Label
ZSS 161049Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS CBS 3887First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Europe | CBS CBS 3887First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS S 3887First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Germany | CBS CBS S 3887 / CBS CBS 3887First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Greece | CBS 3887First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPB 357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Mexico | CBS 7579First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Mexico | CBS 7579First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Columbia 3-10270First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | France | Warner Bros. Records 927 621-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1975 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Canada, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10270.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10270, CBS 3887, CBS S 3887, 3887) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS 161049-1C STERLING and T ZSS 161050-1C STERLING. 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.
