Vinyl pressings
by Peter Nero · 1971
Theme From "Summer Of '42" was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ZS 15864-1J [TI]Runout, Side A, Stamped, Except [Etched], variant 1
ZSS 154865-1H [TI]Runout, Side B, Stamped, Except [Etched], variant 1
ZS 15864-1AA [TI]Runout, Side A, Stamped, Except [Etched], variant 2
ZSS 154865-1AA [TI]Runout, Side B, Stamped, Except [Etched], variant 2
ZSS 154864Label Side A
ZSS 154865Label Side B
ZSS154864-1AC P SJRSIde A
ZSS154865-1AD P SJRSide B
7605ASide A label
7605BSide B label
7605ASide A label
7605BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Columbia 4-45399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | CBS 7605First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Germany | CBS CBS S 7605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Greece | CBS BA 301337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | South Africa | CBS SSC.1162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Spain | CBS CBS 7605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Columbia 4-45399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Columbia 4-45399First year7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo, 45 RPM · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Mono, Stereo, 45 RPM · Promo, Mono |
| 1971 | US | Columbia 4-45399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Columbia 4-45399First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | CBS CBS 7605First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | UK | CBS CBS 7605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BA-2218647", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Theme From "Summer Of '42" are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45399.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45399, CBS 7605, CBS S 7605, BA 301337) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZS 15864-1J [TI] and ZSS 154865-1H [TI]. 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.
