US
August 24, 1964- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records 5255
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Los Angeles Pressing
- Runout / matrix
45-X-45052-F-1 ✲Runout A
45-X-45051-F1 3 ✲Runout B
45-X45052Label A
45-X45051Label B
Vinyl pressings
Matchbox / Slow Down
by The Beatles · 1964
25 pressings4 countriesBeatRock & RollRockPop
Matchbox / Slow Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Matchbox / Slow Down
6 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 4 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.
US
1964- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records 5255
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Scranton Pressing
- Runout / matrix
45-450512-T2 [IAM in triangle]Side A runout variant 1
45-45051-P3 #2 [IAM in triangle]Side B runout variant 1
45-450512-T2 [IAM in triangle]Side A runout variant 2
45-45051-P5 #1 [IAM in triangle]Side B runout variant 2
Japan
November 5, 1964- Label and catalog number
- Odeon OR-1156
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono
- Runout / matrix
7TCE-823-2 18 〄Variant 1, runout side A
7TCE-823-1 25 〄 K4Variant 1, runout side B
7TCE-823-2 4 〄 ⒻVariant 2, runout side A
7TCE-823-1 4 〄 K4Variant 2, runout side B
Canada
1964- Label and catalog number
- Capitol Records 5255
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
45-45051-T4Runout A version 1
45-45052-T6Runout B version 1
45-45051-T4 #2 IAMRunout A version 2
45-45052-T4 #3 IAMRunout B version 2
Japan
1964- Label and catalog number
- Odeon OR-1156
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Red Vinyl
- Runout / matrix
7TCE-823-2 31 OSide A runout
7TCE-823-1 24 O F L4Side B runout
7TCE-823-2Side A label
7TCE-823-1Side B label
Philippines
1964- Label and catalog number
- Parlophone PAL-60255
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
PAL-60255-ASide A
PAL-60255-BSide B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 25 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Capitol Records 5255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Japan | Odeon OR-1156First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1964 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-60255First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records 5255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Capitol Records 5255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Japan | Odeon OR-1156First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1969 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
1970s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | US | Apple Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Apple Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1976 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1977 | Japan | Odeon EAS-170567", Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Canada | Capitol Records X-6284 / Starline X-62847", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records 52557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records A-6284 / Starline A-62847", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records X-6284 / Starline X-62847", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | US | Capitol Records X-6284 / Starline X-62847", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1988 | US | Capitol Records X-6284 / Starline X-62847", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono | 7", Single, Mono, 45 RPM · Mono |
Year unknown2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Apple Records AR-11567", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-602557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AMatchbox1:37
- BSlow Down2:54
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Matchbox / Slow Down are there?
25 vinyl pressings of Matchbox / Slow Down are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1964 and 1988.
When was Matchbox / Slow Down first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Japan, Canada, Philippines. One of them is Capitol Records 5255, released August 24, 1964.
How do I tell if my copy of Matchbox / Slow Down is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5255, OR-1156, PAL-60255) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-X-45052-F-1 ✲ and 45-X-45051-F1 3 ✲. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Matchbox / Slow Down on vinyl worth?
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.
