Vinyl pressings
by Floyd Cramer · 1975
Piano Masterpieces 1900-1975 was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, 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.
APL1 - 0893A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A - stamped, ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched, variant 1
APL1 - 0893 B 2 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B - stamped, ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched, variant 1
APL1 - 0893A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A - stamped, ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched, variant 2
APL1 - 0893 B 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B - stamped, ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K etched, variant 2
APL1- - 0893-A-2S H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A runout
APL1 - 0893-B-2S H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B runout
APL1-0893-ASide A label
APL1-0893-BSide B label
APD1-0893-ASide 1 Label
APD1-0893-BSide 2 Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | RCA Victor APL1-0893First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-0893First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | RCA APD1-0893First yearLP, Compilation, Quadraphonic | LP, Compilation, Quadraphonic |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0893First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | RCA Victor APL1-0893First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor APL1-0893LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | RCA Victor MMT 1097 / RCA Victor AYL1-3745LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor AYL1-3745LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | RCA AYL1-3745LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA AHL1-0893LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Piano Masterpieces 1900-1975 are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1975 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is RCA Victor APL1-0893, released April 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APL1-0893, APD1-0893) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APL1 - 0893A 1S I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and APL1 - 0893 B 2 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K. 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.
