Vinyl pressings
by George Enescu · 1955
Rhapsody was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 4 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.
F2 RP1712-5SRunout side A, variant 1
F2 RP 1713-2SRunout side B, variant 1
F2 RP1712-3S I A1Runout side A, variant 2
F2 RP 1713 2S I A1Runout side B, variant 2
F2RF 1712Runout side A (Stamped)
F2RP 1713 3Runout side B (Stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Argentina | RCA Victor Argentina S.A.I.C. LM-1878First yearLP | LP |
| 1955 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1878First yearLP | LP |
| 1955 | Spain | RCA 3L16121First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1878 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1878First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1878LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | US | Quintessence PMC 7023 / Camden Classics PMC 7023LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Quintessence PMC 7023 / Camden Classics PMC 7023LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1878LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | RCA 630 349LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | RCA 630 349LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA LM-1878-CLP | LP |
| ? | Germany | RCA LM-1878-BLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | RCA Italiana A12R 0194LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Rhapsody are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1955 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Argentina, Canada, Spain. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1878.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-1878, 3L16121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F2 RP1712-5S and F2 RP 1713-2S. 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.
