Vinyl pressings
by Frédéric Chopin · 1965
4 Impromptus / 4 Balladen was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, 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.
℗1965 15 SCH⬦H⬭ SLPEM-136 455-A 104367 ASide 1 - Runout
℗1965 K5 SCH⬦W<> SLPEM-136 455-B 104367 BSide 2 - Runout
SLPEM-136 455-ASide 1 - Label
SLPEM-136 455-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284 / Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284--10LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon 415 260-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 636455 / Deutsche Grammophon 136455LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 455 / Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 284LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 455LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 455 SLPEM / Deutsche Grammophon 136 455LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 455 SLPEM / Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 136 455 SLPEM / Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Heliodor MH 5041LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Deutsche Grammophon MGW 5248LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of 4 Impromptus / 4 Balladen are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1965 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in Germany. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon SLPEM 136 455.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLPEM 136 455) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ℗1965 15 SCH⬦H⬭ SLPEM-136 455-A 104367 A and ℗1965 K5 SCH⬦W<> SLPEM-136 455-B 104367 B. 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.
