Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Kunz · 1955
Piano Medley was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year. 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.
EFF 273-1 DR16202-16206 BC HRunout side A, stamped
EFF 274-1 DR16203-16205 M H 2Runout side B, stamped
EFF 273Label side A, upside down
EFF 274Label side B, upside down
EFF 273 - 1 DP. 16202 - 16206A Side runout, hand-etched
EFF 274 - 1 DP. 16203 - 16205B Side runout, hand-etched
EFF.273A Side label
EFF 274B Side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | UK | Decca DFE 6113 / Decca DFE.6113First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | UK | Decca DFE 6113First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1956 | UK | Decca DFE 6113 / Decca DFE.61137", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1958 | UK | Decca DFE 6113 / Decca DFE.61137", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Decca DFE 61137", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca DFEM 61137", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca DFEM 61137", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | Decca DFE 61137", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | South Africa | Decca DFE 61137", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca DFE 61137", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca DFE.61137", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Piano Medley are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1955 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in UK. One of them is Decca DFE 6113, released October 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DFE 6113) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EFF 273-1 DR16202-16206 BC H and EFF 274-1 DR16203-16205 M H 2. 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.
