Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1970
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2YEA 4029-1G GA 1Stamped Runout, Side A
2YEA 4030-1G GT 2Stamped Runout, Side B
2YEA 4031-2G GL 1Stamped Runout, Side C
2YEA 4032-1G RD 12Stamped Runout, Side D
S1-36723-F6 IAMA runout
S1-36724-F3 IAMB runout
S1-36725-F1#2 IAMC runout
S2-36725-F3 IAMD runout
02072 A -1Runout, stamped side A
02072 B -1Runout, stamped side B
02073 A -1Runout, stamped side C
02073 B -1Runout, stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 165-02072/4 / His Master's Voice 1C 165-02072/74First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1970 | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 153-02 072/74First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1970 | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 197-02 072/74First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1970 | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 197-02 072/74LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1970 | Germany | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 165-02072/4 XFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1970 | Italy | La Voce Del Padrone 3C 165-02072/3/4First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1970 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 952/3 / His Master's Voice SLS. 952/3First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1970 | US | Angel Records SCL-3767First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 165-02072 / 4 / La Voix De Son Maître 2C 165-0.2072 XLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1979 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 26 940-942LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1979 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 8 26 940-942LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | UK | Classics For Pleasure CFPD 41 4454 3 / Classics For Pleasure CFP 4144541LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | His Master's Voice 65 106LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Box Set · Club edition |
| ? | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 165-02072 / 4LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | France | La Voix De Son Maître 1020723LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 165-02072 / 4LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
16 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1970 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Germany, Italy. One of them is His Master's Voice SLS 952/3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLS 952/3, SCL-3767, 1C 165-02072/4, 1C 153-02 072/74) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YEA 4029-1G GA 1 and 2YEA 4030-1G GT 2. 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.
