Vinyl pressings
by Eileen Farrell · 1960
Puccini Arias was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
XXLP49648-1C IHRunout side A, variant 1
XLP49649-1E H1Runout side B, variant 1
XXLP49648-1C IHIXIRunout side A, variant 2
XLP49649-2G HIXIIRunout side B, variant 2
x"Lp" 49648Side A Label
x"Lp" 49649Side B Label
XXSM49650-3K A||||Side A Runout, Variant 1
XXSM49651-2B A|||||||Side B Runout, Variant 1
XXSM49650-3H H|||Side A Runout, Variant 2
XXSM49651-2A HH|Side B Runout, Variant 2
AA835565-1Y=5//420vvv
AA835565-2Y-3//420vov
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Brazil | Columbia Masterworks 9035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6150First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | New Zealand | Coronet KLC 2736 / Coronet KLC2736First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Philips SABL 177 / Philips 835 565 AYFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5483First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6150First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5483First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML-5483LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5483LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Spain | CBS ARS 70.010LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS GM 503LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML-5483LP | LP |
12 vinyl pressings of Puccini Arias are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1960 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 5483, released August 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 5483, MS 6150, SABL 177, 9035) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXLP49648-1C IH and XLP49649-1E H1. 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.
