Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1953
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. 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 1953, 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.
D1 MMS 2009A E3 KP 5514 1HRRunout stamp side A
D2 E3KP 5515 1ER MMS 2009 PT2Runout stamp side B
E3KP-5514Label side A
E3KP-5515Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | US | The Opera Society M2009-OP4 / The Opera Society MMS-2009First yearLP | LP |
| 1955 | France | Guilde Internationale Du Disque MMS-2009LP | LP |
| 1957 | US | Crowell-Collier Record Guild CCRG 124LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-2009LP | LP |
| ? | Unknown | Musical Masterpiece Society M2009-OP4 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-2009LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Unknown | Musical Masterpiece Society M2009-OP4 / Musical Masterpiece Society MMS-2009LP | LP |
| ? | US | The Opera Society M2009-OP4 / The Opera Society MMS-2009LP | LP |
| ? | US | The Opera Society M2009-OP4 / The Opera Society MMS-2009LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Whitehall 33-5022LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | USA, Canada & Europe | The Opera Society M2009-OP4 / The Opera Society MMS-2009LP | LP |
10 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1953 and 1957.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US. One of them is The Opera Society M2009-OP4.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2009-OP4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D1 MMS 2009A E3 KP 5514 1HR and D2 E3KP 5515 1ER MMS 2009 PT2. 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.
