Vinyl pressings
by George Gershwin · 1962
Gershwin By Starlight was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 1962, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SP-1-8581-D1#2 [anvil/lathe] &Side A runout, stamped
SP-2-8581- 6 IAM &Side B runout, stamped [IAM enclosed in a triangle]
SP1-8581Disc Label Side A
SP2-8581Disc Label Side B
P1 - 8581 - D2Side A - Stamped
P2 - 8581 - N2Side B - Stamped
SP 1-8581Center Label A
SP 2-8581Center Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records SP 8581First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records P 8581First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records SP 8581First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records P 8581 / Capitol Records P-8581First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | Electrola-Studio Köln K 83629LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | US | Angel Records S-36070 / Angel Records S-1-36070LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Seraphim 3C 033 - 85243LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Capitol Records SP 8581LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records STK 83629LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records S-36070LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | USA, Canada & Europe | Angel Records S-36070LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Gershwin By Starlight are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1962 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK. One of them is Capitol Records SP 8581.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 8581, P 8581) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-1-8581-D1#2 [anvil/lathe] & and SP-2-8581- 6 IAM &. 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.
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