Vinyl pressings
by Giacomo Puccini · 1960
Madama Butterfly was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. 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 1960, 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.
2YBA 7-6Stamped runout side A
2YBA 8-3Stamped runout side B
2YBA 9-3Stamped runout side C
2YBA 10-3Stamped runout side D
2XBA.94Label - side A, in parentheses
2XBA.95Label - side B, in parentheses
2XBA.96Label - side C, in parentheses
2XBA.97Label - side D, in parentheses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Germany | Electrola STE 81 076/78First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 373-375 / His Master's Voice SLS 759First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1795-97 / His Master's Voice RLS 664First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1961 | Netherlands | His Master's Voice GS 081LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | Capitol Records SGCR 7232LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| 1961 | US | Angel Records 3604 C/LLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Angel Records 3604 C/L / Angel Records SCL-3604LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1962 | Italy | La Voce Del Padrone ASDQ.5286/87/88LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| 1964 | Chile | Angel Records OA-539LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 373-375 / His Master's Voice SLS 759LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | US | Angel Records 3604 C / LLP, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | His Master's Voice ASD 373-375 / His Master's Voice SLS 759LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Angel Records 3604 C/LLP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 5128 / His Master's Voice 0C 157-00 183/5LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1979 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 10 C 165-000183/85LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Classics For Pleasure CFP 4144471 / Classics For Pleasure CFPD 41 4446 3LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Madama Butterfly are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1960 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, Germany. One of them is His Master's Voice ASD 373-375, released November 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ASD 373-375, ALP 1795-97, STE 81 076/78) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YBA 7-6 and 2YBA 8-3. 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.
