Vinyl pressings
by Benjamin Britten · 1967
Les Illuminations 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.
4 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 2 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-7790-1G BC KT 5BRunout stamped side A ("BC KT 5B" tilted)
ZAL-7791-2G W KT 1Runout stamped side B ("W KT 1" tilted)
ZAL7790Matrix on label side A
ZAL7791Matrix on label side B
ZAL7790-1GMatrix on label side A
ZAL7791-2GMatrix on label side B
ZAL-7790-2RRunout stamped side A
ZAL-7791-2GRunout stamped side B
ZAL.7790Matrix on label side A
ZAL.7791Matrix 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | New Zealand | Decca SXLM 6316 / Decca SXLM.6316First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Decca SXL 6316 / Decca SXL6316First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | Decca LXT 6316First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Decca OS 26032First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Decca SXL 6316 / Decca ZAL 7790-3GLP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1968 | UK | Decca SXL 6316 / Decca SXL.6316LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Decca SXL 6316 / Decca SXL.6316LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| 1973 | Australia | The Record Society S/6473 / World Record Club S/6473LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6316 / Decca SXL.6316LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records OS 26032LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Les Illuminations are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1967 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in UK, New Zealand. One of them is Decca SXL 6316.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6316, LXT 6316, OS 26032, SXLM 6316) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-7790-1G BC KT 5B and ZAL-7791-2G W KT 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.
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