Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1964
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RRRS-3207-10S I A1Side A runout, variant 1
RRRS-3208-10S I A2Side B runout, Variant 1
RRRS-3209--8S I A1Side C runout, variant 1
RRRS-3210--5S I A1Side D runout, variant 1
RRRM - - 3201 - - 2SSide A runout, var. 1
RRRM-3202--2S X1 A1Side B runout, var. 1
RRRM-3203--2S XISide C runout, var. 1
RRRM-3204--2S I A1Side D runout, var. 1
RRRS 3207 - 1GRecord 1 matrix
RRRS 3208 - 1GRecord 1 Matrix
RRRS 3207 R1Side 1
RRRS 3208 R3Side 2
RRRS 3209 R1Side 3
RRRS 3210 R1Side 4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LDS-6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | France | RCA Victor SOR 640.793 - 795First yearLP, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | France | RCA Victor SOR 630.793 - 795First yearLP, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | RCA Victor LD-6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | Germany | RCA Victor LD-6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | Italy | RCA Victor LD-6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | UK | RCA Victor LDS-6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LDS 6164First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LD 6164 / RCA Victor Red Seal LD 6164First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victor LDS-6164LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1969 | Spain | RCA Victor LDS-6164LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1969 | Spain | RCA Victor LDS 6164 / RCA RRRS 3208/12LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | RCA Red Seal LSC-6199LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | Germany | RCA Red Seal 15872-5LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1971 | Italy | RCA Red Seal LMDS-6199LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | UK | RCA Red Seal SER 5600/2 (LSC 6199)LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | US | RCA Red Seal LSC-6199LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | US | RCA Red Seal LSC-6199LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Italy | RCA VLS 45477 (3)LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | South Korea | Seoul Records SRCR-100 / RCA Red Seal LSC-6199LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA Red Seal SPA 25064-R/1-3 / RCA Red Seal 26.35035LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal SPA 25 064-R / 1-3LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal SPA 25 064-R / 1-3 / RCA Red Seal 26.35035LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor LDS-6164LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor LDS-6164 / RCA Victor LDS 6164 (3)LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal SGR 678-B (6593)LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor LDS-6164 / RCA Victor STEREO-LDS 6164LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victor LDS 6164 (3)LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | Italy | RCA Red Seal LMDS-6199 (3)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Switzerland | RCA 28 005 / RCA Red Seal 28 005LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor LDS-6164LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | RCA Victor LDS-6164LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
32 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1964 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LDS 6164.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LDS 6164, LD 6164, LDS-6164, SOR 640.793 - 795) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RRRS-3207-10S I A1 and RRRS-3208-10S I A2. 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.
