Vinyl pressings
by Frédéric Chopin · 1964
Polonaises was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. 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 1964, 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.
VS-485 RVG ARC 3-21-6 STEREORunout side A etched [RVG, STEREO stamped]
VS-487 ARC 3-27-6 RVG STEREORunout side B etched [RVG, STEREO stamped]
STPL 514.190 A (S-485)Label side A
STPL 514.190 B (S-487)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Vox STPL 514.190 / Stereovox STPL514.190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Italy | Music Parade Cetra LEC 172LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Yorkshire Records RCC 22431LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Vox STPL 514.190LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Yorkshire Records STPL 514.190LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Yorkshire Records STPL 514.190 / Yorkshire Records STPL514.190LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vox STPL 514.190LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | VOX STPL 514.190LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vox PL 14.190LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Vox STPL 514.190LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Vox STPL 514.190LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Polonaises are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1964 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US. One of them is Vox STPL 514.190.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STPL 514.190) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-485 RVG ARC 3-21-6 STEREO and VS-487 ARC 3-27-6 RVG STEREO. 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.
