Vinyl pressings
by Charlie Parker · 1961
The Essential Charlie Parker was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 3 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.
[s-shaped block stamp] V6-8409 SIDE-1 MGS-1892 11A-Side Runout Etching
[s-shaped block stamp] V6-8409 SIDE-2 MGS-1893 11B-Side Runout Etching
MGS-1892A-Side Label
MGS-1893B-Side Label
V8409 A 51170-7 A ISide A runout, etched (final A stamped)
V 8409 B 51171-7 B IIIISide B runout, etched (final B stamped)
V-8409-A-NY-51.170-1In Side A Runout
V-8409-B NY 51.171-5In Side B Runout
V-8409AOn Side A Label
V-8409BOn Side B Label
V6-8409 SIDE-1 MGS-1892A-Side Runout etched
V6-8409 SIDE-2 MGS-1893B-Side Runout etched
MGS-1892A-Side Label
MGS-1893B-Side Label
V 8409A-1N GSide A runout
V 8409B-1N GSide B runout
V-8409ASide A label
V-8409BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Verve Records V-8409First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1538 / His Master's Voice CLP. 1538First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1538 / His Master's Voice CLP. 1538First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V6-8409First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V-8409First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V-8409LP, Compilation, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V-8409LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V-8409First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V-8409First yearLP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Verve Records V6-8409First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1962 | Netherlands | Verve Records MMV 609LP, 10", Compilation | LP, 10", Compilation |
| 1965 | Italy | Verve Records VI 8409LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Verve Records V-8409LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| ? | France | Verve Records 3710 SLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Japan | Verve Records MV-1004LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| ? | New Zealand | Verve Records 2352011LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of The Essential Charlie Parker are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1965.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Verve Records V6-8409.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V6-8409, V-8409, CLP 1538) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [s-shaped block stamp] V6-8409 SIDE-1 MGS-1892 11 and [s-shaped block stamp] V6-8409 SIDE-2 MGS-1893 11. 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.
