Vinyl pressings
by Georges Bizet · 1984
Carmen (Extraits) was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
NUM 75120 A2 =Side A hand-etched variant 1
NUM 75120 B2 =Side B hand-etched - 2 of B2 upside down variant 1
NUM 75120 A2 MPOSide A variant 2
NUM 75120 B2 MPOSide B - 2 upside down variant 2
MPO NUM 75120 AX TLRunout A, etched
MPO NUM 75120 BX TLRunout B, etched
MPO NUM 75120 AXtSide A etched
MPO NUM 75120 B1XtSide B etched
MPO NUM 75120 A TLSide A runout, etched
MPO NUM 75120 B TLSide B runout, etched
HBC1-5302A-1 1 Ja
HBC1-5302B-1 1 A1 Ja
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Erato NUM-75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | Erato 1034108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Erato NUM 75120 / Maison de Radio France NUM 75120First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Erato NUM 75120 / Maison de Radio France NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Erato ZL 30930 / RCA ZL 30930First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | Erato NUM 75120First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Portugal | Erato 09.275120.55First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Erato (90) 190 143 / Erato 190 143First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Erato HBC1-5302First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Sonocord 26 088-5LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Carmen (Extraits) are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in France, US, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Erato NUM 75120.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NUM 75120, HBC1-5302, NUM-75120, 1034108) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NUM 75120 A2 = and NUM 75120 B2 =. 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.
