Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1951
Carmen (Complete) was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1951, the album's first year, in 2 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.
E1 LRC 181 10S I Λ1Side A runout, stamped
E1 LRC 182 11S I Λ2Side B runout, stamped
E1 LRC 183 7S I D1Side C runout, stamped
E1 LRC 184 12S * I Λ1Side D runout, stamped
49-3452 A -3S A1 C-1Side A (1) runout
49-3467 A 1S A1 CSide P (16) runout
49-3467 B 1S A1 CSide Q (17) runout
49-3452 B 1S A1 CSide FF (32) runout
49-3452ADisc 1 - Side A
49-3452BDisc 1 - Side B
49-3453ADisc 2 - Side A
49-3453BDisc 2 - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1951 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1556First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1951 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1556First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1954 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6102LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1115-7 / His Master's Voice RLS 608LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Germany | RCA Victrola AVM 3-0670LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | US | RCA Victrola AVM 3-0670LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | US | RCA Victrola AVM 3-0670LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | Italy | RCA Victrola VL 00670 (3)LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | RCA 600 282 - 283 - 284 / RCA 600 282LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6102LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victrola VLS 00670LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victrola AVM3-0670LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Italy | RCA Italiana Red Seal LM 6102 (3)LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1115 / His Master's Voice ALP 1116LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1115 / His Master's Voice ALP 1116LP | LP |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
19 vinyl pressings of Carmen (Complete) are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1951 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6102, released September 1951.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM 6102, WDM 1556) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E1 LRC 181 10S I Λ1 and E1 LRC 182 11S I Λ2. 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.
