Vinyl pressings
by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy · 1954
Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Symphony No. 5 In D… was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. 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 1954, 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.
XLP30347-2ARunout stamped side A, var. 1
XLP30348-2FRunout stamped side B, var. 1
XLP30347-2CRunout stamped side A, var. 2
XLP30348-2GRunout stamped side B, var. 2
XLP30347-2ERunout, side A
XLP30348-2HRunout, side B
x"LP" 30347Label, side A
x"LP" 30348Label, side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 4864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1954 | France | Philips A 01174 L / Philips A 01.174 LFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1954 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4864First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Japan | Columbia Masterworks WL 5130LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4864LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1956 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4864LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1958 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4864LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Philips A 01174 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips A 01174 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips A 01174 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Philips ABL.3082LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Philips GBL 5550LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products P 14189LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 In A Minor, Symphony No. 5 In D… are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1954 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, Canada, France. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 4864.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 4864, A 01174 L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP30347-2A and XLP30348-2F. 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
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1961 · 51 pressings
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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
