Vinyl pressings
by Charles Gounod · 1953
Faust 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.
5 pressings came out in 1953, 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.
2XLA 154 21 M6 146407Runout side A
2XLA 155 22 M6 147740Runout side B
2XLA 156 21 M6 146409Runout side C
2XLA 157 21 M6 146410 M6-146410Runout side D
2XLA.154Label - Side A, in parentheses
2XLA.155Label - Side B, in parentheses
2XLA.156Label - Side C, in parentheses
2XLA.157Label - Side D, in parentheses
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 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6400First yearBox Set, Album, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, Album, LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 261-264First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1953 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 261 / La Voix De Son Maître FALP 262First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1953 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1162-5 / His Master's Voice RLS 613First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6400First yearBox Set, Album, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, Album, LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo LALP 102/5LP, Deluxe Edition, Mono · Mono | LP, Deluxe Edition, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Angel Records LPC-11577/80LP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| ? | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 261 / La Voix De Son Maître FALP 262LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Italy | La Voce Del Padrone QALP 261 / 64LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6400Box Set, Album, LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | Box Set, Album, LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Faust are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1953 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in France, UK, US, Canada. One of them is La Voix De Son Maître FALP 261-264.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FALP 261-264, FALP 261, ALP 1162-5, LM-6400) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2XLA 154 21 M6 146407 and 2XLA 155 22 M6 147740. 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.
