Vinyl pressings
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1975
Le Messie (The Messiah) was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 3 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.
70921 LPL 4263 1Y 380 CIDIS A10 ERARunout side A
70921 LPL 4263 2Y 380 CIDIS A14 ERARunout side B
70922 LPL 4264 1Y 380 CIDIS C 1 ERARunout side C
70922 LPL 4264 2Y 380 CIDIS A10 ERARunout side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | France & Benelux | Erato STU 70921/2/3First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1975 | Germany | EMI 1C 195-30 901/03 QY / Erato 1C 195-30 901/03 QYFirst yearLP, Quadraphonic | LP, Quadraphonic |
| 1975 | UK | Erato STU 70921/3First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1976 | France | Erato STU 70921/2/3LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1976 | US | RCA Red Seal CRL3-1426LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1976 | US | Musical Heritage Society MHS 3273/74/75LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Erato S 66.333LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France & Benelux | Erato STU 70921/2/3LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice SFKLP 78436 / Erato SFKLP 78436LP, Club Edition, Quadraphonic, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Quadraphonic, Box Set · Club edition |
| ? | US | RCA Red Seal CRL3-1426LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
10 vinyl pressings of Le Messie (The Messiah) are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in France & Benelux, UK, Germany. One of them is Erato STU 70921/2/3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STU 70921/2/3, STU 70921/3, 1C 195-30 901/03 QY) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 70921 LPL 4263 1Y 380 CIDIS A10 ERA and 70921 LPL 4263 2Y 380 CIDIS A14 ERA. 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.
