Vinyl pressings
by The Platters · 1955
The Great Pretender was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1955, 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.
45 - YWM - 12070-1" ⌂ MIA runout, stamped, variant 1
45 - YWM - 12071-2 MII ⌂B runout, stamped, variant 1
45 - YWM -12070-2A runout, stamped, variant 2
45 - YWM -12071-2B runout, stamped, variant 2
YW 12070 1Fside A runout area data, variation 1
YW 12071 1Fside B runout area data, variation 1
YW 12070 2F MII M2 D1side A runout area data, variation 2
YW 12071 3F MIII D1side B runout area data, variation 2
. YBM 12070 1 M DRunout A
YBM 12071 1 M NRunout B
YB12070Label side A
YB12071Label side B
YB 12070A label
YB12071B label
YWM 12070-3 Re M111Deadwax A
YW 12071 HDeadwax B
YBM-12070-2Side A, runout
YBM-12071-2Side B, runout
YB 12070Side A, label
YB 12071Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Australia | Esquire Mercury 45037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Australia | Esquire Mercury 45037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Australia | Esquire Mercury 45037First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Australia | Esquire Mercury 45037First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Brazil | Mercury 35070 / Mocambo MM - 140First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70753-X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | France | Mercury MM 10087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Italy | Mercury 70155 x 45 / Music 70155 x 45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | South Africa | Mercury MER 371First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70753First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70753First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Hong Kong | Mercury H.K 171First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70753X45First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70753X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70753First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Mercury 874 842-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | Mercury 70155 x 45 / Music 70155 x 457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Italy | Mercury 70155 x 45 / Music 70155 x 457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Jamaica | Mercury R2113Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Mercury 4220Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Mercury 70753Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
33 vinyl pressings of The Great Pretender are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1955 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 70753X45, released November 3, 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70753X45, 70753, H.K 171, 45037) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 - YWM - 12070-1" ⌂ MI and 45 - YWM - 12071-2 MII ⌂. 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.
