Vinyl pressings
by Giacomo Puccini · 1955
Turandot was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. 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 1955, 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.
ARL 2810-2A UK RT 1Side A (NO. 1) runout
CA ARL 2815-2A UU RT 2 1Side B (NO. 6) runout
ARL 2811-2A U N 1Side C (NO. 2) runout
ARL 2814-2A U N 1Side D (NO. 5) runout
ARL 2810-2ASide 1
ARL 2811-2ASide 2
ARL 2812-2ASide 3
ARL 2813-2ASide 4
ARL 2810-2ASide 1
ARL 2811-2ASide 2
ARL 2812-2ASide 3
ARL 2813-2ASide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | UK | Decca LXT 5128 / Decca LXT 5129First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | Decca LXT 5128 / Decca LXT 5129First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Special Edition, Mono, Box Set, Mispress, Special Edition · Mono | LP, Album, Mispress, Special Edition, Mono, Box Set, Mispress, Special Edition · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | Decca LXT 5128 / Decca LXT 5129First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1956 | US | London Records XLLA 36LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | Decca LXT 5128 / Decca LXT 5129LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Decca SXL 2078/80LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca LXT 5128/30LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2078/80LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5128/29/30LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1959 | US | London Records OSA 1308LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Spain | Decca SXL 2078/80LP, Repress, Box Set | LP, Repress, Box Set |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SXL 2078-80LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Decca SXL 2078-80 / Decca SXL 2078LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | World Record Club S-5342 / World Record Club S-5343LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1976 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds GOS 622-4LP, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | World Record Club R-00941 / World Record Club R-00942LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | London Records LLC-17827/29LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Decca SXL 2078-80LP, Repress, Box Set | LP, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Decca LXT 5128/30LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds GOS 622-4LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | London Records A 4320LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Turandot are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1955 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in UK. One of them is Decca LXT 5128, released October 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LXT 5128) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL 2810-2A UK RT 1 and CA ARL 2815-2A UU RT 2 1. 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.
