Vinyl pressings
by Giacomo Puccini · 1953
La Bohème Highlights was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1953, the album's first year. 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.
CA ARL-1290 1ER B U RJ C1 -Runout, Side A [stamped]
ARL-1330 2ER M RJRunout, Side B [stamped]
ARL.1329RCenter Label, Side A
ARL.1330RCenter Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | US | London Records LL 649 / London Records LL.649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1955 | Canada | London Records LL.649LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Canada | London Records 5076LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Richmond R 23034LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1957 | UK | Decca LXT 5387 / Decca LXT.5387LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | Decca LXT 5387 / Decca LXT.5387LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Canada | Richmond R 23034LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | New Zealand | Decca LXTM 5387 / Decca LXTM.5387LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Spain | Decca LXT 5387 / Discos Decca LXT 5387LP | LP |
| 1958 | UK | Decca LXT 5387LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca BLK 16089LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca DDX 190 017LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca 6557 502LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 186LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records 5076LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records 5076LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records LL 649LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
17 vinyl pressings of La Bohème Highlights are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1953 and 1958.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US. One of them is London Records LL 649.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LL 649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CA ARL-1290 1ER B U RJ C1 - and ARL-1330 2ER M RJ. 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.
