Vinyl pressings
by Frédéric Chopin · 1968
The Nocturnes Vol. 1 was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
SRRS 8332 - 22E (SB6731) 'W' A20Runout Side B
SRRS 8333 - I4S (SB6731) AIDRunout Side A
SRRS-8332-3K JTSide A Runout Stamped, Variant 1
SRRS-8333-1K JT SW ASide B Runout Stamped, Variant 1
SRRS 8332-3K KTRunout Side B
SRRS 8333-1K K~TRunout Side A
SRRS 8332Label Side A
SRRS 8333Label Side B
SRRS 8333-1KRunout Side A
SRRS 8332-3K JTRunout Side B
SRRS 8332Label Side A
SRRS 8333Label Side B
SRRS 8332-3E A1ARunout stamped side A ("A1A" hand-etched)
SRRS 8333-7E A2ARunout stamped side B ("A2A" hand-etched)
SRRS 8332Label matrix side A
SRRS 8333Label matrix side B
SB6731 A//1 R 11 1Runout stamped side A
SB6731 B//1 R 11 1Runout stamped side B
SRRS 8332Label matrix side A
SRRS 8333Label matrix side B
SRRS 8332-4E A2ИRunout stamped side A ("A2И" hand-etched)
SRRS 8333-8E A2KRunout handwritten 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victor SB-6731 / RCA Red Seal SB 6731First yearLP, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Red Seal SB 6731First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victor SB-6731 / RCA Red Seal SB 6731First yearLP, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victor SB 6731First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victor SB 6731First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Red Seal RB 6731LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victor SB-6731 / RCA Red Seal SB 6731First yearLP, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Japan | RCA SX-2717LP | LP |
| 1974 | France | RCA Red Seal ARL 2 0623/1LP | LP |
| 1976 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 26 737LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 26 737LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 8 26 737LP, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Brazil | RCA Red Seal 105 4080LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | RCA Red Seal RX-2313LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Europe | RCA Gold Seal GL 89836LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | RCA Victor Gold Seal GL 89836LP, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | RCA Gold Seal GL 89836 / RCA Victor Gold Seal GL 89836LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Victor Red Seal LS-2143 / Victor Red Seal LS 2143LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | RCA SX-2717LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | RCA SX-2011LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | Angel Records HA-1186LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | RCA Red Seal SB 6731LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Nocturnes Vol. 1 are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1968 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK. One of them is RCA Red Seal SB 6731.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SB 6731, SB-6731) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRRS 8332 - 22E (SB6731) 'W' A20 and SRRS 8333 - I4S (SB6731) AID. 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.
