Vinyl pressings
by Giuseppe Verdi · 1954
Falstaff was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1954, the album's first year, in 3 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.
LP - E4RP - 8116 X -- Manufactured in GermanySide 1 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8117 X -- Manufactured in GermanySide 2 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8118 - X -- Manufactured in GermanySide 3 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8119 X -- Manufactured in GermanySide 4 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8116Side 1 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8117Side 2 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8118Side 3 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8119Side 4 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8116Side 1 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8117Side 2 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8118Side 3 Runout
LP - E4RP - 8119Side 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Canada | RCA Red Seal LM-6111 (3) -C / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111 (3)First yearLP | LP |
| 1954 | Germany | RCA Red Seal LM-6111 (3) -C / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111 (3)First yearLP | LP |
| 1954 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | RCA Red Seal LM-6111 (3) -C / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111 (3)First yearLP | LP |
| 1955 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1229-1231 / His Master's Voice ALP 1229-31LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | RCA Red Seal RB 16163-5LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 6111LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1969 | USSR | Мелодия Д 024797—024802LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Italy | RCA AT 301 - 1 (3)LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA AT 301/1-3LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1972 | UK | RCA AT 301LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Japan | RCA SRA 8064～66LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | USSR | Мелодия 33Д 024797—02LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Italy | RCA Victrola VL 45840LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA Victrola VL 45839LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | RCA VL 46023 (3)LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | RCA A 630 220 à 222LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | France | RCA 731 062/64LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal LM-6111 (3) / RCA Red Seal LM 6111LP | LP |
| ? | Italy | RCA Italiana LM-6111 (3) / RCA Victor LM-6111 (3)LP | LP |
| ? | Italy | Stradivarius STR 1006/7 / Stradivarius STR 1006LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1229-1231 / His Master's Voice ALP 1229-31LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | RCA Victor LM-6111LP | LP |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-6111LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д-024797-802LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д 024797—024802LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д 024797—024802LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
27 vinyl pressings of Falstaff are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1954 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in Germany, US, Canada. One of them is RCA Red Seal LM-6111 (3) -C.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-6111 (3) -C, LM-6111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP - E4RP - 8116 X -- Manufactured in Germany and LP - E4RP - 8117 X -- Manufactured in Germany. 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.
