Vinyl pressings
by Simon & Garfunkel · 1972
America was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
ZSS 154977-1C T T11A Side Etched
ZSS 154975 1C T T11B Side Etched
ZSS 154977-1D ᵀᴵᴵVar 2: A Side Etched
ZSS 154975 1D ᵀᴵᴵVar 2: B Side Etched
ZSS 154975Label A
ZSS 154977Label B
ZSS 154975-1F PA Side Runout
ZSS 154977-1F P 2B Side Runout
ZSS 154975A Side Label
ZSS 154977B Side Label
ZSP 154974-1D T1Runout A
ZSP 154976-1D T1Runout B
JZSP 154974Label A
JZSP 154976Label B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS BA-221925 / CBS 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS 8336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | CBS CBS S 8336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461408First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | CBS CBS-S-8336First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | CBS CBS 8336First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Columbia 4-45663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 8336First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 83367", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of America are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45663, released August 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45663, CBS S 8336, CBS 8336, BA-221925) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS 154977-1C T T11 and ZSS 154975 1C T T11. 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.
