Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1960
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 3 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.
2YLA.1047Label - Side A, in parentheses
2YLA.1048Label - Side B, in parentheses
2YLA.1049Label - Side C, in parentheses
2YLA.1050Label - Side D, in parentheses
2XLA 620-1SStamped Side A
2XLA 621-1SStamped Side B
2XLA 622-2SStamped Side C
2XLA 623-1SStamped Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | New Zealand | His Master's Voice ASDM 331-3First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1762-1764 / His Master's Voice RLS 660First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 331-3 / His Master's Voice SLS 755First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 332First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records GCR-7207First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1964 | Chile | Angel Records SOA-525 (3SACX-47216-7-8)LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 618 À 620LP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1964 | France | La Voix De Son Maître ASDF 618 À 620LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | La Voix De Son Maître 1C 183-10 680/2 / La Voix De Son Maître 1C 183-10 680/82LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1975 | Italy | La Voce Del Padrone 3C 153-10680/82Box Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 5021 / His Master's Voice 0C 183 ○ 10680-2LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1977 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 167-10680/2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 10C 165-010 680/82LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия С 10 15507-12LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1985 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 1106803LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice OASD 331/3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records GCR-7207LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Colombia | Angel Records 3613 C/L / Angel Records ALDE 141/143LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | France | La Voix De Son Maître CVA 618-20LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | La Voix De Son Maître 1C 183-10 680/2 / La Voix De Son Maître 1C 183-10 680/82LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 183-10 680/2 / His Master's Voice 1C 183-10 680/2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Japan | Angel Records HA 1175-7LP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 331-333 / His Master's Voice SLS 755LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 5021 / His Master's Voice 0C 183 ○ 10680-2LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 5021 / His Master's Voice 0C 183 ○ 10680-2LP, Single Sided, Reissue, Repress, White Label, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Single Sided, Reissue, Repress, White Label, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 331-333 / His Master's Voice SLS 755LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | Angel Records 3613LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SGCR 7207LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records 3613 / Angel Records 3613 C/LLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | Angel Records SCL-3613LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1960 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, US, New Zealand. One of them is His Master's Voice ASD 331-3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ASD 331-3, ALP 1762-1764, ASD 332, GCR-7207) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YLA.1047 and 2YLA.1048. 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.
