Skip to content
VinylLens
The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár, album cover

Vinyl pressings

The Merry Widow

by Franz Lehár · 1963

23 pressings11 countriesOperaRomanticClassical

The Merry Widow was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of The Merry Widow

6 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 4 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.

UK

1963
Label and catalog number
His Master's Voice SAN 101-2
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

YAX 929-8Runout stamped side 1

YAX 930-13Runout stamped side 2

YAX 931-20Runout stamped side 3

YAX 932-16Runout stamped side 4

Full details of this pressing

UK

1963
Label and catalog number
His Master's Voice AN 101-2
Format
LP, Album, Mono · Gatefold
Runout / matrix

XAX.2354Side A label

XAX.2355Side B label

XAX.2356Side C label

XAX.2357Side D label

Full details of this pressing

US

1963
Label and catalog number
Angel Records 3630 B/LAngel Records SBL-3630
Format
Box Set, Album, LP, Stereo
Runout / matrix

Y△X-X-929-D1 A2 LM &Side 1

Y△X-X-930-D1 A2 LM &Side 2

Y△X-X-931-D1 A2 LM &Side 3

Y△X-X-932-D1 A LM &Side 4

Full details of this pressing

New Zealand

1963
Label and catalog number
World Record Club STZ.1229/1World Record Club STZ.1229/2
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 23 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1963CanadaAngel Records 3630 B/L / Angel Records SBL-3630First yearBox Set, Album, LP, StereoBox Set, Album, LP, Stereo
1963New ZealandWorld Record Club STZ.1229/1 / World Record Club STZ.1229/2First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1963UKHis Master's Voice SAN 101-2First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1963UKHis Master's Voice AN 101-2First yearLP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
1963USAngel Records 3630 B/L / Angel Records SBL-3630First yearBox Set, Album, LP, StereoBox Set, Album, LP, Stereo
1963USAngel Records 3630 B/L / Angel Records BL-3630First yearBox Set, Album, LP, Mono · MonoBox Set, Album, LP, Mono · Mono
1964BrazilAngel Records 3CBX-379/80LP, Album, Stereo, Box SetLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
1970s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1972SpainLa Voz De Su Amo 1 J 153-00 001/2LP, Box Set, StereoLP, Box Set, Stereo
1974ArgentinaAngel Records 6499/500LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
1980s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1988BrazilAngel Records 166 290797 3LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1989YugoslaviaJugoton 2LP-L 2 02318 9 / His Master's Voice 2LP-L 2 02318 9LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, AlbumLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Album
Year unknown12 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownAngel Records 3630 B/LLP, Stereo, Box Set, ReissueLP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue
?CanadaAngel Records 3630 B/LLP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?FranceLa Voix De Son Maître SAN 101 ET 102 FLP, Stereo, Box SetLP, Stereo, Box Set
?FranceLa Voix De Son Maître 2907973 pm 375LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?FranceLa Voix De Son Maître 2C 181-00001/2LP, Reissue, StereoLP, Reissue, Stereo
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 153-00 001/2Box Set, Album, Reissue, LP, StereoBox Set, Album, Reissue, LP, Stereo
?GermanyDie Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 163-00 001/2 / His Master's Voice 1 C 163-00 001/2LP, Box Set, StereoLP, Box Set, Stereo
?GermanyHis Master's Voice 27 621-2 / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 27 621-2LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
?GermanyEMI SMA 80 771/72 / EMI Electrola SMA 80 771/72LP, Box Set, StereoLP, Box Set, Stereo
?JapanAngel Records EAC-47211/12LP, Album, Stereo, Box SetLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
?UKHis Master's Voice SLS 823 / His Master's Voice 1E 191 ○ 00001-2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box SetLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set
?USAngel Records 3630 B/L / Angel Records SBL-3630Box Set, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LPBox Set, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP

Tracklist

  1. The Merry Widow

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Merry Widow are there?

23 vinyl pressings of The Merry Widow are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1963 and 1989.

When was The Merry Widow first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1963, in UK, US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is His Master's Voice SAN 101-2.

How do I tell if my copy of The Merry Widow is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SAN 101-2, AN 101-2, 3630 B/L, STZ.1229/1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 929-8 and YAX 930-13. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Merry Widow on vinyl worth?

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.

More Franz Lehár on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of The Merry Widow worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free