Vinyl pressings
by Billy May · 1953
Billy May's Bacchanalia! was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1953, the album's first year, in 5 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.
H1-374-D12A side stamped variant 1
H2-374-D12B side stamped variant 1
H1-374-D1 [Anvil symbol] 1-53A side stamped variant 2
H2-374-D1 [Anvil symbol] 1-53B side stamped variant 2
H1-374-D1#2 [Anvil symbol]A side stamped
H2-374-DA#2 [Anvil symbol] 5B side stamped
H1-374A side label
H2-374B side label
H-1-374A side label
H-2-374B side label
H1-374-D5 [Anvil symbol]A side stamped
H2-374-D3^#4 [Anvil symbol]B side stamped
H1-374A side label
H2-374B side label
H1-374-D1²Side A Runout stamped, variant 1
H2-374-D1²Side B Runout stamped, variant 1
H1-374-D4 4Side A Runout stamped, variant 2
H2-374-D2 #2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Argentina | Capitol Records H374 / Capitol Records H-374First yearLP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | Chile | Capitol Records H-374First yearLP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| 1953 | France | Capitol Records H 374 / Capitol Records H-374First yearLP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | Italy | Capitol Records H 374First yearLP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records H374 / Capitol Records H-374First yearLP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records H374 / Capitol Records H-374First yearLP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| 1953 | Australia | Capitol Records CLP004 / Capitol Records CLP-004LP, 10", Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | Argentina | Capitol Records T-374LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | Germany | Telefunken Capitol LCA 374LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | UK | Capitol Records LC 6644 / Capitol Records LC.6644LP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records T374 / Capitol Records T-374LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records EBF 3747", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records T374 / Capitol Records T-374LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records EBF 3747", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1955 | Germany | Capitol Records EBF 3747", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | UK | World Record Club T335 / World Record Club T. 335LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Capitol Records ED 26 0420 1 / Capitol Records ED 2604201LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Capitol Records T-374LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
21 vinyl pressings of Billy May's Bacchanalia! are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1953 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US, Argentina, Chile, France and more. One of them is Capitol Records H374, released January 1953.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use H374, H-374, H 374) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, H1-374-D12 and H2-374-D12. 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.
