Vinyl pressings
by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy · 1960
A Midsummer Night's Dream / Rosamunde 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.
4 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.
ARL-4752-1ARunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-4753-2ARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
(ARL.4752)On label under catalog number LXT.5585
(ARL.4753)On label under catalog number LXT.5585
ZAL-4752-1ERunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4753-1ERunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4752Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4753Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4752-1ERunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4753-1ERunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4752Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4753Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4752 - 1ERunout side A, variant 1
ZAL-4753 -1ERunout side B, variant 1
ZAL-4752-1E A ◻︎T 1Runout side A, variant 2
ZAL-4753-1E ◻︎ T◻︎ cj .- S◻︎Runout 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 | UK | Decca LXT.5585 / Decca LXT 5585First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | London Records CS 6186 / London Records CS.6186First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca LXT 5585LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca Viva! VIV 15LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | London Records VIV 15LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | London Records VIV 15LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Decca 6.42724 BA / Decca 6.42724LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Brazil | London Viva 43009LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | London Records STS 15580LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca BD 447-B / Deutscher Schallplattenclub F-127LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Decca BD 447-B / Deutscher Schallplattenclub F-127LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | India | Decca LXT 5585LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | London Records LC 55LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca Viva! VIV 15LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2229 / Decca SXL.2229LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6186 / London Records CS.6186LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6186 / London Records CS.6186LP, Club Edition, Repress, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Repress, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6186 / London Records CS.6186LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6186 / London Records CS.6186LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CM 6186 / London Records CM 6186LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
27 vinyl pressings of A Midsummer Night's Dream / Rosamunde are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1960 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, US. One of them is Decca LXT.5585.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LXT.5585, SXL 2229, CS 6186) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL-4752-1A and ARL-4753-2A. 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.
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1959 · 62 pressings
Symphony No. 4 In A Major, Op. 90 (Italian) / Symphony No. 5 In D Major, Op. 107 (Reformation)
1961 · 51 pressings
Ein Sommernachtstraum
1965 · 42 pressings
Violin Concertos
1957 · 40 pressings
Mendelssohn In Scotland - Symphony No. 3 'Scotch', Fingal's Cave
1960 · 39 pressings
Incidental Music To A Midsummer Night's Dream
1961 · 38 pressings
