Vinyl pressings
by Strings For Pleasure · 1970
Play Simon & Garfunkel was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SMFP 1403 A -1GRunout side A, stamped, version 1 & 2
SMFP 1403 B -2GRunout side B, stamped, version 1
SMFP 1403 B -3GRunout side B, stamped, version 2
SMFP 1403 ALabel side A
SMFP 1403 A-2GA-side runout, stamped
SMFP 1403 B-3GB-side runout, stamped
SMFP 1403 AA-side label
SMFP 1403 BB-side label
SMFP 1403 A-1GStamped Side A
SMFP 1403 B-1GStamped Side B
SMFP 1403 A -1GStamped Side A
SMFP 1403 B -2GStamped Side B
SMFP 1403 A-1GStamped side A
SMFP 1403 B-1GStamped side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Music For Pleasure MFP A 8192 / Music For Pleasure SMFP 1403First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Music For Pleasure MFP 5103First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | South Africa | Music For Pleasure MFP 1403First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 1403First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 1403First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP A 8192 / Music For Pleasure SMFP 1403First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | UK | Music For Pleasure SMFP 1403 / Music For Pleasure S-MFP 1403First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Music For Pleasure MFP 1403First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Music For Pleasure MFP 5103LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Fanfare SIT 60017LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Play Simon & Garfunkel are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Music For Pleasure MFP 1403.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MFP 1403, MFP A 8192, SMFP 1403, MFP 5103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMFP 1403 A -1G and SMFP 1403 B -2G. 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.
