Vinyl pressings
by Giuseppe Verdi · 1960
Aida Highlights 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.
7 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ZAL-4795-3L IC BC ET 1 [IC crossed out]Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4796-1E I ET 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4795Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4796Matrix on label - side B
ARL-4795-2ASide A Runout
ARL-4796-1ASide B Runout
ARL.4795Side A Label (Inverted)
ARL.4796Side B Label (Inverted)
ZAL-4795-3LRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4796-1ERunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4795Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4796Matrix on label - side B
LP-Ste-015488 X Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
LP-Ste-015489-III-X Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
Ste LP 015 488Label side A
Ste LP 015 489Label side B
Ste LP 015 488Label side A
Ste LP 015 489Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Germany | Decca SXL 20 510-BFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1960 | Germany | Decca SXL 20 510-BFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | Germany | Decca SXL 20 510-BFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1960 | Switzerland | Decca SXL 20 510-BFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LXT 5597 / Decca LXT.5597First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | South Africa | Decca SXL 2242 / Decca SXL.2242First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2242 / Decca SXL.2242First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca SXL 2242 / Decca SXL.2242LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca SXL 2242LP | LP |
| 1963 | Japan | London Records SLH 3005LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 2242LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Decca SXL 2242LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Decca NUX 390 013LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Decca SXL 2242LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | South Korea | Decca SXL 2242LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | London Records GT 9015LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SXL 2242 / DECCA SXL.2242LP, Stereo, Repress | LP, Stereo, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2242 / Decca SXLA-2242LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2242 / Decca SXLA-2242LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2242LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca LXTA 5597LP | LP |
| ? | Canada | London Records 5568LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1140 / Decca 6.41522 ANLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca BLK 20 510LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca BLK 20 510LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1140LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1140LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.41522 AN / Decca 641522 ANLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | London Records SLC 1053LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca DDX 190 013LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | Decca LXT 5597 / Decca LXT.5597LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Spain | Decca SXL 2242 / Discolibro 7001LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
44 vinyl pressings of Aida Highlights are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1960 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland. One of them is Decca SXL 2242, released November 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2242, LXT 5597, SXL 20 510-B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4795-3L IC BC ET 1 [IC crossed out] and ZAL-4796-1E I ET 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.
