Vinyl pressings
by Giacomo Puccini · 1957
Manon Lescaut was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. 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 1957, 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.
ARL2363-1D R // U U // ET // 1A runout
CA ARL2364-2D R // U I // ETB runout
CR ARL2366-1D R // C U // ET // 4C runout
CR ARL2366-2D R // UH // S1D runout
ARL2363-1B // B N // N // 6 IA runout
ARL.2364-1B // I // N // IB runout
ARL2365-1B // B U // N // 1C runout
ARL2366-1B // B I // N // 1D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Italy | Decca LXT 2995/97First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | London Records A-4316 / London Records A 4316First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1957 | US | London Records LLA-28First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records OSA 1317LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | London Records OSA 1317LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds GOS 607/8LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1971 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds GOS 607/8LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Decca 6.35 225 DXLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1986 | Italy | Decca 416 031-1 / Ricordi 416 031-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Decca 416 032-1 / Ricordi 416 032-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Decca LXT 2995-2996-2997LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Manon Lescaut are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1957 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, Italy. One of them is London Records A-4316.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-4316, LLA-28, LXT 2995/97) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL2363-1D R // U U // ET // 1 and CA ARL2364-2D R // U I // ET. 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.
