Vinyl pressings
by George Gershwin · 1976
Rhapsody In Blue (The 1925 Piano Roll) was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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.
MQ AL 34205-1J ITRunout Side A, Stamped (except for "IT")
QBL 34205-1AB ITRunout Side B, Etched
MQAL 34205-1CRunout Side A
MQBL 34205-1C SRunout Side B
MQAL 34205-1B 1TSide A Runout Stamped (1T etched)
MQBL 34205-1B 1TSide B Runout Stamped (1T etched)
QAL 34205A-side
QBL 34205B-side
AL-34205-1A-2GH DM2A-side
BL-34205-1B-2HK DM1B-side
MO AL 34205A-side
MO BL 34205B-side
MQAL 34205-1C S1Side A Runout Stamped (S1 etched)
MQBL 34205-1C S1Side B Runout Stamped (S1 etched)
QAL 34205A-side
QBL 34205B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Columbia Masterworks 5614First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS Masterworks SBR 235805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | CBS Masterworks M 34205First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks XM 34205First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Germany | CBS Masterworks 76509 / CBS Masterworks 76 509First yearLP, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AC 60First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Netherlands | CBS Masterworks 76509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | CBS Masterworks 76509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks M34205First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks XM 34205First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | CBS Masterworks M 34205First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks M34205First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks M 34205First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks XM 34205First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Stereo, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | US | Columbia Masterworks XM 34205 / Columbia Masterworks QAL 34205First yearLP, Promo, Stereo, Quadraphonic · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo, Quadraphonic · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | CBS Masterworks HM 44205LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | CBS LSP 15642LP, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA 508LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony FCCA 460LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M 34205 / CBS Masterworks M 34205LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic |
25 vinyl pressings of Rhapsody In Blue (The 1925 Piano Roll) are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Argentina, Australia, Netherlands and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M34205.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M34205, XM 34205, M 34205, QAL 34205) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MQ AL 34205-1J IT and QBL 34205-1AB IT. 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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