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Porgy & Bess by George Gershwin, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Porgy & Bess

by George Gershwin · 1961

17 pressings9 countriesMusicalStage & Screen

Porgy & Bess was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 & Bess

1 pressing came out in 1961, 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.

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

All 17 vinyl pressings

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

1960s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1961JapanUnion Records UPS-5013 / Union Records UPS 5013First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1961New ZealandLight Music Club LZ 7025 / Light Music Club LZ.7025LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition
1961New ZealandLight Music Club SLZ.7025 / Light Music Club LZ 7025LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1961AustraliaLight Music Club LM 7025 / Light Music Club 7025LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition
1961AustraliaLight Music Club S-7025 / Light Music Club LM 7025LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1962UKWorld Record Club T. 161 / World Record Club T 161LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition
1962UKWorld Record Club ST. 161 / World Record Club T 161LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1970s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1978GermanyMarcato 78.113LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
Year unknown9 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?FranceClub National Du Disque SW 7459LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, NumberedLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered
?GermanyAriola 70 245 IU / Ariola S 70 245 IULP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?ItalyLa Voce Del Padrone SQIM 6340LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?ItalyLa Voce Del Padrone QIM 6340LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?NetherlandsImperial ILW 513LPLP
?NetherlandsImperial ILW 513LP, AlbumLP, Album
?New ZealandWorld Record Club SLZ.7025 / Light Music Club SLZ 7025LP, Album, Club Edition, Repress, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Repress, Stereo · Club edition
?USHeliodor HS25052LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?USCapitol Records N 7536 / Capitol Records SN-7536LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo

Tracklist

  1. A1Overture
  2. A2I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
  3. A3Summertime
  4. A4It Ain't Necessarily So
  5. A5Bess, You Is My Woman Now
  6. B1Street Cries: Strawberry Woman; Crab Man
  7. B2I Loves You Porgy
  8. B3There's A Boat Leaving Soon For New York
  9. B4Oh, Where's My Bess?
  10. B5Finale - I'm On My Way

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Porgy & Bess are there?

17 vinyl pressings of Porgy & Bess are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1961 and 1978.

When was Porgy & Bess first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1961, in Japan. One of them is Union Records UPS-5013.

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

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UPS-5013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Porgy & 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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