Vinyl pressings
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1964
Water Music (Complete) 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.
8 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2YEA 830-1 G 1Runout side A - stamped
2YEA 831-1 O 1Runout side B - stamped
2YEA.830Matrix on label - side A
2YEA.831Matrix on label - side B
2XEA 2385-1SRunout side A - stamped
2XEA 2386-1SRunout side B - stamped
2XEA-X-2385Matrix side A label
2XEA-X-2386Matrix side B label
2YEA 830-1Runout side A - stamped
2YEA 831-1Runout side B - stamped
2-XEA-X-2385 J2 (IAM in triangle logo)Matrix side A runout
2-XEA-X-2386 H1 (IAM in triangle logo)Matrix side A runout
2XEA-X-2385Matrix side A label
2XEA-X-2386Matrix side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | His Master's Voice OASD 577 / His Master's Voice OASD. 577First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | Canada | Angel Records 36173 / Angel Records ANG. 36173First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | France | La Voix De Son Maître ASDF 799First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | Germany | Electrola STE 91 314First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Angel Records 36173First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Angel Records 36173 / Angel Records S. 36173First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 577 / His Master's Voice ASD. 577First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP.2028 / His Master's Voice ALP.2028First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Angel Records S 36173 / Angel Records 36173LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 069 00 232LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Angel Records 36173 / Angel Records S 36173LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Denmark | His Master's Voice 6C 037-00232LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 10 C 037-000.232LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | EMI Eminence 41 2047 1LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | His Master's Voice 037 7 69265 1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
31 vinyl pressings of Water Music (Complete) are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1964 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is His Master's Voice ASD 577, released March 6, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ASD 577, ALP.2028, 36173, OASD 577) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YEA 830-1 G 1 and 2YEA 831-1 O 1. 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.
