Vinyl pressings
by Frédéric Chopin · 1961
Chopin Polonaises By Brailowsky was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XXLP-54841-2C P IIISide A runout
XLP54842-1B I I IIIII PSide B runout
x"Lp" 54841Side A matrix center label (in parentheses)
x"Lp" 54842Side B matrix center label (in parentheses)
XSM54843-1BSide A runout, stamped
XXSM-54844-1JSide B runout, stamped
XLP54841-1AStamped on runout side A
XLP58842-1BStamped on runout side B
(x"LP" 54841)On label side A
(x"LP" 54842)On label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5705First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5705First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305First yearLP | LP |
| 1962 | UK | CBS SBRG 72015LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | CBS BRG 72015LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | CBS BRG 72015 / CBS ML 5705LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | CBS 80.420LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | CBS Masterworks 54841LP | LP |
| ? | Argentina | CBS 4.298LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | CBS BR 235013LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235013LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235013 / CBS SBR-235013LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5705LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5705LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Chile | Columbia Masterworks 4.298 / Columbia 4298LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | CBS S 72 015LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Mexico | CBS MLS 9043LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | CBS SBRG 72015 / CBS MS 6305LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6305LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Chopin Polonaises By Brailowsky are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 5705.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 5705, MS 6305) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXLP-54841-2C P III and XLP54842-1B I I IIIII P. 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.
