Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1951
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1951, 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.
FXLP 5690 1D ARun out, side A / stamped
FXLP 5691 1B ARun out, side B / stamped
FXLP 5692 1A BRun out, side C / stamped
FXLP 5693 1A DRun out, side D / 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | US | Columbia Masterworks SL-109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1952 | France | Columbia 33 FCX 101 à 103LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1955 | Australia & New Zealand | Columbia 33-OCX-1016, 33-OCX-1017, 33-OCX-1018LP, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | UK | World Record Club SOH 167 / World Record Club SOH 168LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Club edition |
| 1963 | Australia | World Record Club OE 32 / World Record Club OE 33LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Netherlands | K-Tel VARA-GRAM K-02LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 1551653LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML-4395LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Columbia FCX 101/FCX 102/FCX 103LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | France | Columbia FCX PM 35020 / Columbia FCX PM 35021LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Trianon TRI - 33308/9/10LP, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Columbia CX 1016/18LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Columbia 33CX1016 / Columbia 33CX1017LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1951 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US. One of them is Columbia Masterworks SL-109.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SL-109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FXLP 5690 1D A and FXLP 5691 1B A. 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.
