Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1973
Carmen was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, 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.
2530 323 S 1 ℗ 1973 320 3 LSide A runout, stamped variant 1
2530 323 = 2 S 2 ℗ 1973 320 7 A FSide B runout, stamped variant 1
2530 324 = 2 S 3 ℗ 1973 320 8 1 A ASide C runout, stamped variant 1
2530 324 S 4 ℗ 1973 320 4 A ISide D runout, stamped variant 1
2530 323 2 S1Side 1
2530 323 2 S2Side 2
2530 324 2 S3Side 3
2530 324 2 S4Side 4
2530 323 2 S1Side 1
2530 323 2 S2Side 2
2530 324 2 S3Side 3
2530 324 2 S4Side 4
2530 323=2 S 1 Ⓟ 1973 320Side 1 Stamped
2563222 A/3Side 1 Etched
2530 323 S 2 Ⓟ 1973 320Side 2 Stamped
2563222 B/1Side 2 Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2709 043First yearBox Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2740 101First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2740 101First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 27 40 101First yearBox Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2740 101First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1976 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10 07297-302LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1976 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10—07297—302 / Deutsche GrammophonLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1976 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10—07297—302 / Deutsche GrammophonLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Brazil | Deutsche Grammophon 2740 101LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 213609 / PGP RTB 213610Box Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 100LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 100 / Deutsche Grammophon 2530 323LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 1116 3041 - 43LP, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 424-876-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2709 043 / Speakers Corner Records 2709 043Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2014 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2709 043 / Speakers Corner Records 2709 043LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 413 279-1Box Set, Reissue, LP | Box Set, Reissue, LP |
| ? | Japan | Deutsche Grammophon MG 9704/6LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 424 875-1LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 424 877-1LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Carmen are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, UK, Spain. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 2709 043.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2709 043, 2740 101, 27 40 101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2530 323 S 1 ℗ 1973 320 3 L and 2530 323 = 2 S 2 ℗ 1973 320 7 A F. 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.
