Vinyl pressings
by Ahmad Jamal · 1959
Portfolio Of Ahmad Jamal was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 2 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.
K8-OP 5145-1B U9077-1 IRunout side A
K8-OP 5144-1B U9076-1 IRunout side B
K8-OP 5146-1C U9060-2 IRunout side C
K8-OP 5147-1D U9061-2 IRunout side D
UX-9077-1 KB-OY5149-1 A4 ¢ ISide A, Record No. 1, runout, stamped
UX-X9076-1 KB-0 Y5148-1 A3 ⏀ IXSide B, Record No. 1, runout, stamped
U-9077-1 K80P-5145Record 1, Side A Label
U-9076-1 K80P-5144Record 1, Side B Label
U-9060-2 K80P-5146Record 2, Side A Label
U-9061-2 K80P-5147Record 2, Side B Label
K8--OY5149-1 S̶̷U-9077-1 A1 I фSide A stamped, exc. "ф" and "O" in OY5149 etched
K8-O Y5148-1 US̶̷-S̶̷9076-1 A2 I фSide B stamped, exc. "ф" etched
K8-O Y5150-1 S̶̷U-9260-2 I A1Side C stamped
K8-O Y5151-1 S9261-2 I A1Side D stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Argo LP 2638 / Quality V-1639-2First yearLP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Mono · Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP-2638 / Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP-2638 / Argo LP-2638-SFirst yearLP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP-2638 / Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP-2638 / Argo LP-2638First yearLP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP 2638 / Argo LP-2638First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1959 | US | Argo LP-2638 / Argo LP 2638First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records UPS-2213~4-B / Argo LP 2638LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | Japan | Baybridge Records UPS-2213~4-B / Argo LP 2638LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Cadet LPS 638 / Argo LP 2638LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
| ? | US | Argo LP-2638 / Cadet LP-2638LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited |
14 vinyl pressings of Portfolio Of Ahmad Jamal are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1959 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Canada. One of them is Argo LP-2638.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP-2638, LP 2638) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K8-OP 5145-1B U9077-1 I and K8-OP 5144-1B U9076-1 I. 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.
