Vinyl pressings
by Giacomo Puccini · 1956
La Bohème was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 1956, 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.
G2 RP3580-1S I ACRunout side A stamped
G2 RP-3581-1S I B4Runout side B stamped
G2 RP3582-10S I B1Runout side C stamped
G2 RP3583-8S I A1Runout side D stamped
G2-RP-3580-2N G 1Runout side A - stamped
G2-RP-3581-3N G 1Runout side B - stamped
G2-RP-3582-2N G 1Runout side C - stamped
G2-RP-3583-2N G 1Runout side D - stamped
G2RP3580-2SSide 1
G2RP3581-2SSide 2
G2RP3582-2SSide 3
G2RP3583-2SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6042First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6042First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1956 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1409 / His Master's Voice ALP 1410First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | New Zealand | His Master's Voice MALP 1409 / His Master's Voice MALP 1410LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1957 | Australia | His Master's Voice OALP.1409 / His Master's Voice OALP.1410LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6042 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6042LP, Mono, Box Set, Album, Repress · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album, Repress · Mono |
| 1958 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 554 / 555LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1409 / His Master's Voice ALP.1409LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1409 / His Master's Voice ALP 1410LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Seraphim IB-6000LP, Mono, Box Set, Reissue · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Reissue · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1409 / His Master's Voice ALP.1409LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Sweden | His Master's Voice 7C 191-00126 / His Master's Voice 7C 191-00127LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Remastered |
| 1974 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 896 / His Master's Voice 0C 191 ○ 00126-7LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1974 | US | Seraphim SIB-6099LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1975 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 1 J 163 - 000126/27 / La Voz De Su Amo 10 C 163-000.126/27LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1976 | Italy | His Master's Voice 3c 153-00126 / His Master's Voice 3c 153 00127LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 896 / His Master's Voice ASD 3030-1LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1982 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 896 / His Master's Voice ASD 3030LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Reissue | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2905443LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Seraphim IB 6000LP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
20 vinyl pressings of La Bohème are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1956 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6042, released September 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-6042, ALP 1409) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G2 RP3580-1S I AC and G2 RP-3581-1S I B4. 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.
