Vinyl pressings
by Billie Holiday · 1962
The Golden Years was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 1962, 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.
XLP-55154-1A - BHIIRunout, side B
XLP-55153-1B - BHIIIIIRunout, side A
XLP-55155-1C IIIIRunout, side C
XLP-55156-1BRunout, side D
XLP-55153-1B IIII-Runout, side A
XLP-55154-1C IIIIII-IRunout, side B
XLP-55155-1C I-Runout, side C
XLP-55156-1BRunout, side D
XLP-55153-1B 1111..11Runout side A, "1111..11" etched
XLP-55154-1C 1111..11Runout side B, "1111..11" etched
XLP-55155-1CRunout side C
XLP-55156-1ARunout side D
CL 1758Matrix, Label Side A + B
CL 1759Matrix, Label Side C + D
CL 1760Matrix, Label Side E + F
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Canada | Columbia C3L-21First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1962 | US | Columbia C3L 21First yearLP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia C3L 21LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia C3L 21First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Mono, Box Set · Promo, Mono | LP, Compilation, Promo, Mono, Box Set · Promo, Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia C3L 21First yearLP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1963 | Australia | CBS 3BP 220001LP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Columbia C3L 21LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Columbia House P3M 5869LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | CBS CBS 66377LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia C3L-21LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia C3L 21LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia C3L 21LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia C3L 21 / Columbia CL 1758,1759,1760LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of The Golden Years are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1962 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia C3L 21.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C3L 21, C3L-21) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP-55154-1A - BHII and XLP-55153-1B - BHIIIII. 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.
