Vinyl pressings
by Arthur Rubinstein · 1976
Concerto No 5 In E-Flat, Op. 73 "Emperor" was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ARL1-1420A-1 A1 ISide A runout stamped variant 1
ESide A runout etched variant 1
ARL1-1420B-1 A2 ISide B runout stamped variant 1
ASide B runout etched variant 1
RL1-1420A-3ESide A runout stamped
ARL1-1420B-2ESide B runout stamped
(RVC-7540-A)① (JRL1-7171)A label
(RVC-7540-B)① (JRL1-7171)B label
LSRCA-70794-1 260979 DPRunout side A
LSRCA-70794-2 240979 DPRunout side B
cr 15-1415-5JLabel side A
cr 15-1415-5KLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Japan | RCA SX-2762 / RCA Red Seal SX-2762First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | UK | RCA Red Seal RL1-1420First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA Red Seal ARL1-1420First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | RCA Red Seal ARL1-1420First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA-70794 / RCA LSRCA-70794First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | South Korea | RCA SX-2762 / RCA Red Seal SX-2762LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA Red Seal RL 11420LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA Red Seal ARL1-1420LP, 45 RPM, Stereo | LP, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA Red Seal RX-2302LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1979 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA-70794 / RCA LSRCA-70794LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSRCA-70794LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Japan | RCA FCCA-867 / RCA Red Seal FCCA-867LP | LP |
| 1986 | Italy | RCA GL 81420LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Concerto No 5 In E-Flat, Op. 73 "Emperor" are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1976 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Japan, Yugoslavia. One of them is RCA Red Seal ARL1-1420.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARL1-1420, RL1-1420, SX-2762, LSRCA-70794) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL1-1420A-1 A1 I and E. 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.
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