Vinyl pressings
by Simon & Garfunkel · 1969
The Boxer was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
44 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 19 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.
JZSP-150464-1F(etched) p(stamped)A side deadwax, variant 1
JZSP150465-1A pB side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
JZSP-150464-1F pA side deadwax, variant 2
JZSP150465-1A o pB side deadwax - stamped, variant 2
ZSP-150464-1J M TIA-side runout, etched
ZSP150465-1D [M TI]B-side runout, stamped, except [etched]
ZSP 150464A-side label
ZSP 150465B-side label
ZSP-150464-1GA side deadwax - etched
JZSP150465-1AB side deadwax - stamped
J ZSP150464-1AFA Side Deadwax
J ZSP150465-1ACB Side Deadwax
ZSP-150464-1 H -S-SSS S-SSSide A Runout
[ZSP150465-1C] --SSS-Side B Runout [stamped]
ZSP 150464(A label)
ZSP 150465(B label)
o ZSP-150464-1G PRunout A, etched [P stamped, inverted]
o JZSP150465-1A PRunout B, stamped [o etched]
ZSP 150464Label A
ZSP 150465Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | CBS BA-221629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | CBS 33605First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Brazil | CBS 33605First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Canada | Columbia 4-44785First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | France | CBS 4162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4162First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Germany | CBS 4162First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Greece | CBS BA 301246First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Ireland | CBS 4162First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Israel | CBS 4162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Italy | CBS 4162First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONG 80081 / CBS/Sony SONG80081First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONG 80081 / CBS/Sony SONG80081First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Japan | CBS/Sony SONG80081 / CBS/Sony SONG-80081First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Malaysia | CBS 2-571First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Europe | CBS 4162 / CBS 4-447857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Peru | CBS 07177", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | Spain | CBS 41627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPB 2537", 45 RPM, Single, Quadraphonic | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Netherlands | CBS 45977", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | CBS 22.0877", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| ? | Argentina | CBS 22.0877", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia 4-331697", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | CBS 13-331697", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Lebanon | CBS 41627", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Simon & Garfunkel)7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | CBS 41627", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS 41627", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 4-331697", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331697", Reissue, 45 RPM | 7", Reissue, 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331697", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-33169 / Collectables 13-331697", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331697", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-331697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Uruguay | CBS 22.0877", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
64 vinyl pressings of The Boxer are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1969 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia 4-44785, released March 21, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-44785, 4162, BA-221629, 33605) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JZSP-150464-1F(etched) p(stamped) and JZSP150465-1A p. 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.
