Vinyl pressings
by Gustav Mahler · 1961
Symphony No. 4 In G Major 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.
9 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 5 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-5108-1E I OT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5109-1E N OT C 1SMRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.5108Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.5109Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-5108-5LRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5109-4LRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-5108-5LMatrix on label - side A
ZAL-5109-4LMatrix on label - side B
ARL-5108-1A OT B ET 1Side A Runout
ARL-5109-2A U B ET 1Side B Runout
ARL.5108Side A Label (Inverted)
ARL.5109Side B Label (Inverted)
ZAL-5108-1E Uside A runout stamped
ZAL-5109-1E Uside B runout stamped
ZAL.5108side A label
ZAL.5109side B label
ARL-5108-1ARunout side A - machine stamped - variant 1
ARL-5109-2ARunout side B - machine stamped - variant 1
ARL-5108-1A B 1Runout side A variant 2
ARL-5109-2A U [undecipherable] 1Runout side B variant 2
ARL.5108 - 2AMatrix on label - side A
ARL.5109 - 1AMatrix on label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | France | Decca SXL 2276First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Japan | London Records SLC-1478First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca LXT 5638 / Decca LXT.5638First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | London Records CM 9286 / London Records CM.9286First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | London Records CS 6217 / London Records CS.6217First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | Australia | Decca LXTA 5638First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Australia | Decca SXLA 2276First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SXL 2276 / Decca SXL.2276First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SXL 2276 / Decca SXL.2276First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | France | Disques Decca LXT 5638LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | France | Decca SXL 2276LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | Japan | London Records SLC-1094LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | France | Decca 7.056 B / Decca SXL 2.276LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1971 | US | London Records CS 6781LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | London Records CS 6781LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Decca SXL 2276LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Korea | Decca SXL 2276 / Decca SEL 0121LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | London Records SLC 8126LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Japan | London Records K15C-7041LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Decca 7.056 BLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 7.056 / Decca SXL.2276LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2276LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2276LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Decca SXL 2276LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Switzerland | Decca 260 20 / Decca SMD 742-BLP, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Special Edition, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | Mien Phone Record SML-16LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2276 / Decca SXL.2276LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2276LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2276 / Decca SXL.2276LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CS 6217LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 4 In G Major are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1961 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Decca SXL 2276, released September 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2276, LXT 5638, CS 6217, CM 9286) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-5108-1E I OT 1 and ZAL-5109-1E N OT C 1SM. 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.
