Vinyl pressings
by Ernest Ansermet · 1961
French Overtures 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.
5 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.
ZAL-5021-1E C KT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5022-1E K OT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.5021Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5022Matrix on label - side B
ARL-5021-2ARunout side A
ARL-5022-2ARunout side B
ARL.5021Matrix on label - side A
ARL.5022Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5021-2ESide 1 stamped
ZAL-5022-1ESide 2 stamped
ZAL.5021Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5022Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5021-1E C KT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5022-1E K OT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.5021Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5022Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5021-2E 2 1Runout Side A stamped
ZAL-5022-1E CA 2 1Runout Side B stamped
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 | Spain | Decca SXL 2263First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SXL 2263 / Decca SXL.2263First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca LXT 5622First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SXL 2263 / Decca SXL.2263First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | London Records CS6205First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Australia | World Record Club ST-4127 / World Record Club T/4127LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1966 | Australia | World Record Club T/4127 / World Record Club T-4127LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1969 | Canada | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 2133LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | London Records SLC 1924LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1969 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 192LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1969 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 192LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | US | London Records STS 15217LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records STS 15217LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Decca ECS 827 / Decca ECS.827LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | London Records GT 9205LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Japan | London Records KIJC 9173LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Eurodisc S 70 695 KKLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Eurodisc 70 694 KKLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2263 / Decca SXL.2263LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 192LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of French Overtures are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1961 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, US, Spain. One of them is Decca SXL 2263.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2263, LXT 5622, CS6205) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-5021-1E C KT 1 and ZAL-5022-1E K OT 1. 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.
The Sleeping Beauty (Complete Ballet)
1959 · 30 pressings
The Royal Ballet Gala Performances
1959 · 28 pressings
Daphnis & Chloë Complete Ballet
1965 · 19 pressings
César Franck: Symphony In D Minor / Le Chasseur Maudit
1961 · 18 pressings
Mother Goose Suite / Nocturnes
1958 · 17 pressings
The Tale Of Tsar Saltan / May Night / Russian Easter Festival
1957 · 16 pressings
