Vinyl pressings
by Georg Solti · 1977
Bolero was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ZAL-14720-2WRunout side A variant 1
ZAL-14719-1WRunout side B variant 1
ZAL-14720-2W BM 1Runout side A variant 2
ZAL-14719-1W H 1Runout side B variant 2
ZAL-14720-2W BBI 2HRunout Side A
ZAL-14719-2A AM 1Runout Side B
ZAL 14720Matrix on label, side 1
ZAL 14719Matrix on label, side 2
ZAL-14720-2W UG 2BRunout side A variant 3
ZAL-14719-1W CA GFRunout side B variant 3
ZAL 14720Label side A
ZAL 14721Label side B
6.42200-01-1stamped in runout side 1
6.42200-01-2/1stamped in runout side 2
Manufactured in Germanystamped in both runouts
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | London Records CS 7033 / London Records CS7033First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 29 565-9LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 38 337 2LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.42200 ASFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.42200First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.42200 AZFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Italy | Decca SXLI 6813First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | London Records SLA 1123First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Decca SXL 6813First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Decca SXL 6813First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Decca 3PSXL-6813First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | UK | Decca SXL 6813First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records CS 7033 / London Records CS7033LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | London Records CS 7033 / London Records CS7033First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records CS 7033 / London Records CS7033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Europe | Decca 417 603-1LP, Remastered | LP, Remastered |
| 1987 | Germany | Decca 6.43522 OG / Decca 6.42 200LP, Remastered | LP, Remastered |
| 1987 | Germany | Decca 6.43522 / Decca 414 603-1LP, Remastered | LP, Remastered |
| 1987 | Germany | Decca 417 603-1 / Decca 417 603-1LP, Remastered | LP, Remastered |
| 1987 | US | London Records 417 603-1LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Decca 591096 / Decca 591 096LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 7.471 BLP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Decca 28 496-8LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Decca 28 496-8LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Taiwan | Decca SXL 6813LP | LP |
| ? | US | London Records CS 7033 / London Records CS7033LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Bolero are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1977 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is London Records CS 7033.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CS 7033, SXL 6813, 6.42200 AS, 6.42200) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-14720-2W and ZAL-14719-1W. 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.
