Vinyl pressings
by Art Tatum · 1967
The Genius was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. 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 1967, 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.
2460158 A // 1Side A - Runout, etched, variant 1
2460158 B // 1Side B - Runout, etched, variant 1
2460158 A // 1 ▽ 420 1 1 2 04Side A - Runout, stamped, variant 2
2460158 B // 1 ▽ 420 1 1 1 04Side B - Runout, stamped, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | UK | Black Lion Records BLP 30124 / Black Lion Records 2460 158First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Freedom BLP 30124LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Black Lion Records BL-158LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | Italy | Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Jazz Man JAZ 5024LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Jazz Man JAZ 5024LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Black Lion Records K18P-9334 / Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Black Lion Records 180 059LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Black Lion Records 65.124LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Black Lion Records 28 440-6ULP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Intercord 28 440-6 ULP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Black Lion Records BLP 30 124 / Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | South Africa | Black Lion Records BKC 9032LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Black Lion Records BLP 30124LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Black Lion Records BL-158LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | US | Black Lion Records BL-158LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Black Lion Records BL-158LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Genius are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1967 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in UK. One of them is Black Lion Records BLP 30124.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLP 30124) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2460158 A // 1 and 2460158 B // 1. 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.
