Vinyl pressings
by Antal Dorati · 1961
Suites From Wozzeck / Lulu was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
SR-90278A-RFR-2 # P17Etched in runout side A
SR 90278B-RFR-1 # P17Etched in runout side B
SR90278APrinted on label side A
SR90278BPrinted on label side B
MG 50278A EFR-2Side 1 runout
MG 50278B EFR-2Side 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Argentina | Mercury 96502 / Mercury Living Presence 96502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Mercury Living Presence MMA 11167 (MG50278)First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Mercury AMS 16117 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR90278 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| 1961 | US | Mercury SR90278 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Mercury SR90278 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRI 75065LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Germany | Mercury SR90278 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2003 | US | Speakers Corner Records SR90278 / Mercury Living Presence SR90278LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 839.263 DSYLP | LP |
| ? | France | Philips 839.263 DSYLP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 130501 MGY / Mercury Living Presence 130501 MGYLP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury Living Presence 120501 MGLLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Mercury MG50278 / Mercury Living Presence MG50278LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
14 vinyl pressings of Suites From Wozzeck / Lulu are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1961 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Argentina. One of them is Mercury SR90278, released November 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90278, MMA 11167 (MG50278), AMS 16117, 96502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR-90278A-RFR-2 # P17 and SR 90278B-RFR-1 # P17. 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.
