Vinyl pressings
by Albert Wolff · 1959
Invitation To The Dance 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.
7 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ZAL-4268-1D UI 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4269-1D N ET C1 CARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4268-1D CB [.]7Side A Variant 3
ZAL-426-1D CC 71 SMSide B Variant 3
ZAL-4268-2WRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4269-3WRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4268Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4269Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4268-1DRunout side A
ZAL-4269-1D UG RTRunout side B
ARL-4268-1A ETRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-4269-1A ET SMRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-4268Matrix on label - side A
ARL-4269Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4268-1D B ET 1Stamped runout side A
ZAL-4269-1D B ET 1Stamped runout side B
ZAL.4268Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4269Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4268-1DRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4269-1DRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4268Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4269Matrix on label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | New Zealand | Decca SXLM 2105First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Decca LXTM 5499 / Decca LXTM.5499First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2105 / Decca SXL.2105First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5499 / Decca LXT.5499First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records CS 6077 / London Records CS.6077First yearLP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2105 / Decca SXL.2105First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2105 / Decca SXL.2105First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | London Records STS 15057LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records STS 15057LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Decca SXL 2105LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Invitation To The Dance are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1959 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, New Zealand. One of them is Decca SXL 2105, released May 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2105, LXT 5499, CS 6077, SXLM 2105) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4268-1D UI 1 and ZAL-4269-1D N ET C1 CA. 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.
