Vinyl pressings
by Ethel Smith · 1947
Souvenir Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1947. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1947, 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.
23358A L3423ADisc 1 A side runout stamped
23353B L3425ADisc 1 B side runout stamped
23462A W72960AA 1Disc 2 A side runout stamped
23462B W72963AA 1Disc 2 B side runout stamped
L3423A 5Side A runout stamped
L3425A ⑤Side B runout stamped
W72963AA 5Side C runout stamped
W72960T11A ⑤Side D runout stamped
W72963A A 3Side C Runout
W72960A A 3Side D Runout
W72961T10A 3Side G Runout
W72962T10A 3Side H Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Canada | Decca A-565First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-565First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1947 | US | Decca A 565First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-565First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1949 | US | Decca DLP 5016LP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | US | Decca DL 5016 / Decca DLP 501610", LP, Album | 10", LP, Album |
| 1950 | US | Decca DL 5016LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1952 | France | Decca AM 233013LP, 10", Album, Reissue | LP, 10", Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca AM 23301310", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album |
| ? | Argentina | Decca LTM 832110", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album |
| ? | Australia | Festival Records FR10-1166LP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| ? | Brazil | Decca LTS 23.00410", LP, Album | 10", LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Decca DL 5016LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | Canada | Decca DL 501610", LP, Album | 10", LP, Album |
| ? | France | CID UM 233013LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LA 8504LP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| ? | UK | Decca BML8504 / Decca BML.8504LP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| ? | US | Decca 9-397", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca 9-397", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca 9-397", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca A-565Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Repress |
21 vinyl pressings of Souvenir Album are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1947 and 1952.
The earliest pressings are from 1947, in Canada, US. One of them is Decca A-565.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-565, A 565) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 23358A L3423A and 23353B L3425A. 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.
