Vinyl pressings
by Fred Astaire · 1953
The Astaire Story was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1953, the album's first year. 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.
B-9570 #1A RL 31683 CL EF 1047LP 1 Side A Runout
B-9571 #1B RL 31123 CL EF 1040LP 1 Side B Runout
B-9572 #2-A RL 31129X CL EF 1041 Re 1LP 2 Side A Runout
B-9573 #2-B RL 31130X2 CLCF 1042 Re 1LP 2 Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | US | Mercury MGC 1001/4 / Clef Records MGC 1001/4First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Box Set · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | France | Verve Records 2304 465LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | Book-Of-The-Month Records 70-5554LP, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1978 | US | DRG Records DARC 3-1102LP, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1978 | US | Book-Of-The-Month Records 70-5554 / Verve Records 70-5554LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | US | DRG Archive DARC-3-1102LP, Promo, Reissue, Box Set · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue, Box Set · Promo |
| 1978 | US | DRG Records DARC 3-1102LP, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1978 | US | DRG Records DARC 3 1102LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1978 | US | DRG Records DARC 3 1102LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1979 | Japan | Verve Records MVX 9901/3LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Verve Records 2610 056LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Verve Records 2610 056 / Polydor 2610 056LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of The Astaire Story are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1953 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US. One of them is Mercury MGC 1001/4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MGC 1001/4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-9570 #1A RL 31683 CL EF 1047 and B-9571 #1B RL 31123 CL EF 1040. 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.
