Vinyl pressings
by Emmerich Kálmán · 1960
Countess Maritza 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.
3 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 2 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.
K2 RP2178 1S I A1Runout side A, variant 1
K2 RP217- 1S B1 IRunout side B, variant 1
K2 RP2178-1S I A1Runout side A, variant 2
K2 RP2719-1S B1 IRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Australia | RCA Red Seal L16282First yearLP | LP |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2406First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2406 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2406First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Germany | Telefunken 6.21311 AF / Telefunken NT 780LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Telefunken 6.21311 AFLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | Telefunken 6.21311 AFLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA LSP - 9870LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | RCA LSP 9870 / RCA LSP-9870LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2406 / RCA LM-2406LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca ECS 2154 / Eclipse ECS 2154LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Countess Maritza are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1960 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, Australia. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2406, released November 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-2406, LSC-2406, L16282) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K2 RP2178 1S I A1 and K2 RP217- 1S B1 I. 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.
