Vinyl pressings
by Camille Saint-Saëns · 1963
Symphony No.3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 6 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-5597-2E K KT KT 1 [2nd KT is mirrored]Runout side A - stamped
ZAL-5598-1E I KT 1Runout side B - stamped
ZAL.5597Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5598Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5597-2E U MT 1Runout side A - stamped
ZAL-5598-1E U 1Runout side B - stamped
ZAL.5597Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5598Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5597-2E SURunout side A - stamped
ZAL-5598-1ERunout side B - stamped
ZAL.5597Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5598Matrix 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | France | Decca LXT 6027 / Disques Decca LXT 6.027First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | France | Decca SXL 6027 / Disques Decca SXL 6027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Japan | London Records SLC1214First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Decca LXT 6027 / Decca LXTM.6027First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Spain | Decca SXL 6027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | London Records CM 9331First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | London Records CS 6331First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | London Records CS 6331 / London Records CS.6331First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca LXT 6027First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Japan | London Records SLC-1918LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | London Records STS15154 / London Records STS 15154LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records STS15154 / London Records STS 15154LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | London Records SLC-8044 / London Records SLC 8044LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | London Records STS 15154LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Decca SXL 6027LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca VIV 51LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | London Viva VIV 51LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Decca Viva! VIV 51LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | London Records K38C-70004LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Japan | London Records K38C-70004LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1993 | Japan | London Records KIJC 9115 / London Records KIJC-9115LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK | The Electric Recording Co. ERC119 / Decca SXL 6027LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 2123LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 592165LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | London Records SLC-6032LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6027 / Decca SXL.6027LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6331LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Symphony No.3 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1963 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in UK, US, France, Japan and more. One of them is Decca SXL 6027, released January 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6027, LXT 6027, CM 9331, CS 6331) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-5597-2E K KT KT 1 [2nd KT is mirrored] and ZAL-5598-1E I 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.
