Vinyl pressings
by André Kostelanetz And His Orchestra · 1940
Highlights From Porgy And Bess was first pressed on vinyl in 1940. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1940, the album's first year. 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.
XCO 25916 1- 16A side runout version 1
XCO 25917 1-18B side runout version 1
XCO 25916 1-20 7A side runout version 2
XCO 25917 1-21 6B side runout version 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | US | Columbia Masterworks 7362-MFirst yearShellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Australia | Philips 409 509 N E7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Columbia DOX-637Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Columbia A-19217", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Canada | Columbia C-12013Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | Switzerland | Columbia DX 1176Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | Switzerland | Columbia DX 1176Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia DX 1176 / Columbia D.X. 1176Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.X. 1176Shellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia 4-7362-M7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia 7362-MShellac, 12", 78 RPM | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks 7362-MShellac, 12", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of Highlights From Porgy And Bess are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1940 and 1955.
The earliest pressings are from 1940, in US. One of them is Columbia Masterworks 7362-M.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7362-M) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XCO 25916 1- 16 and XCO 25917 1-18. 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.
