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George GershwinPorgy And Bess

Vinyl pressings

Porgy And Bess

by George Gershwin · 1955

19 pressings10 countriesModernOperaClassical

Porgy And Bess 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Porgy And Bess

2 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year. 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.

US

1955
Label and catalog number
The Opera Society M2035 OP22The Opera Society M2035-OP22
Format
LP, Mono
Runout / matrix

A2 F8OP 8506- 1C CHS 12 47 PT 1 IA runout, var. 1

A3 F8OP 8507- 2B CHS 12 47 PT 2 IB runout, var. 1

F8 OP8506 1E CHS 1247 PT1 I A1A runout, var. 2

F8 OP8507-2B CHS 1247 PT2 I A21B runout, var. 2

Full details of this pressing

Country unknown

1955
Label and catalog number
The Opera Society M2035-OP22
Format
LP, Mono
Runout / matrix

CHS-1247-PT#1 RSide 1 runout [etched]

F8 OP8506-1 AISide 1 runout [stamped]

F8 OP8507-1 [stamped] 22 [etched with the first "2" over previous "1" AI [thr "A" is etched, "I" is stamped] R [etched]Side 2 runout [stamped & etched]

F8OP-8506Side 1

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 19 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1950s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1955UnknownThe Opera Society M2035-OP22First yearLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1955USThe Opera Society M2035 OP22 / The Opera Society M2035-OP22First yearLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1956FranceGuilde Internationale Du Disque MMS 2035 / Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS-2035LP, AlbumLP, Album
1956FranceGuilde Internationale Du Disque MMS 2035 / Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS-2035LP, AlbumLP, Album
1960s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1962UKConcert Hall M. 2035 / Concert Hall CM 2035LPLP
1970s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1975SwedenKontrapunkt KLP-75-4088LP, StereoLP, Stereo
1975SwedenKontrapunkt KLP-75-4088LP, StereoLP, Stereo
Year unknown12 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownMusical Masterpiece Society MMS 2035 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-2035LPLP
?AustraliaConcert Hall CM 2035 / Concert Hall CM-2035LPLP
?EuropeConcert Hall MMS-2035 / Concert Hall M-2035LPLP
?FranceConcert Hall M-2035 / Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS 2035LPLP
?GermanyConcert Hall M2035-OP2LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?GermanyMusical Masterpiece Society MMS-2035 / Musical Masterpiece Society M2035-OP2LPLP
?GermanyThe Opera Society M2035 OP22LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?Germany, Austria, & SwitzerlandMusical Masterpiece Society M2035-OP22 / The Opera Society M2035-OP22LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?Israelהמועדון המוסיקלי MMS-2035LPLP
?SwitzerlandMusical Masterpiece Society MMS 2035 / Musical Masterpiece Society M2035-OP22LPLP
?SwitzerlandThe Opera Society M2035-OP22 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-2035LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
?USConcert Hall CHS-1247LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. Porgy And Bess - Opera in Three Acts (Concert Version)

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Porgy And Bess are there?

19 vinyl pressings of Porgy And Bess are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1955 and 1975.

When was Porgy And Bess first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US. One of them is The Opera Society M2035 OP22.

How do I tell if my copy of Porgy And Bess is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2035 OP22, M2035-OP22) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A2 F8OP 8506- 1C CHS 12 47 PT 1 I and A3 F8OP 8507- 2B CHS 12 47 PT 2 I. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Porgy And Bess on vinyl worth?

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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