Vinyl pressings
by Giuseppe Verdi · 1961
Otello was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
ARL-5211-2A K OT 1Runout, Side A - stamped
ARL-5212-3A 10 B ET 1Runout, Side B - stamped [10 rotated 90°]
ARL-5213-2A C OT 1Runout, Side C - stamped
ARL-5214-2A G OT 1Runout, Side D - stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Spain | Decca SET 209-11First yearLP | LP |
| 1961 | UK | Decca MET 209-11First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SET 209-11First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | London Records OSA 1324First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | London Records A 4352First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Decca SET 209-11 / Decca SET 209LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | UK | Decca D55D 3LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | US | London Records 411 618-1LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1986 | Europe | Decca 411618-1LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1986 | South Korea | Decca 411 618-1LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1989 | Spain | Decca 424 945-1LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | Decca 424 947-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca MET 209/11LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Europe | Decca LXT 20 31-33 / Decca LXT 2031/33LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35254 EXLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 20031-33-BLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 20031-33-BLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35254 EXLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35254 EXLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Italy | Decca 416 042-1 / Ricordi 416 042-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Decca 416 041-1 / Ricordi 416 041-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Decca 416 043-1 / Ricordi 416 043-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | London Records KIJC 9217/9 / Decca KIJC 9217/9LP | LP |
| ? | Japan | London Records SLA 7580/2 / Decca SLA 7580/2LP | LP |
| ? | Spain | London Records KIJC 9217/9 / Decca KIJC 9217/9LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Decca SET 209-11LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Decca SET 209-11LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
29 vinyl pressings of Otello are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, US, Spain. One of them is Decca MET 209-11.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MET 209-11, SET 209-11, OSA 1324, A 4352) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL-5211-2A K OT 1 and ARL-5212-3A 10 B 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.
