Vinyl pressings
by Hank Snow · 1964
Songs Of Tragedy was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 6 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.
-RPRS-1811--6S I A1Runout side A
-RPRS-1812--2S I A1Runout side B
RPRS-1811Label side A
RPRS-1812Label side B
-RPRM-1809--2S C1 ISide A runout
-RPRM-1810--2S A3 ISide B runout
RPRM-1809Side A label
RPRM-1810Side B label
RPRS-1811Side A label
RPRS-1812Side B label
RPRM-1810Side A label
RPRM-1811Side B label
RPRM-1809--3S A1 RSide A runout
RPRM-1810--3S A1 RSide B runout
RPRM-1809Side A label
RPRM-1810Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP 2901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2901 / RCA Victor LPM 2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-2901 / RCA Victor LSP 2901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-2901 / RCA Victor LSP 2901First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1964 | Germany | RCA Victor LPM-2901 / RCA Victor LPM 2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Japan | Victor SHP-5382First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LPM-2901First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | RCA Victor RD-7658First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | RCA Victor SF-7658First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2901 / RCA Victor LPM 2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LSP 2901 / RCA Victor LSP-2901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2901 / RCA Victor LPM 2901First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2901 / RCA Victor LSP 2901First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA LSP-2901 / RCA LSP 2901LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor LSP 2901LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor LSP 2901LP | LP |
| ? | US | RCA Victor LSP 2901LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Songs Of Tragedy are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1964 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-2901, released August 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-2901, LPM-2901, LSP 2901, RD-7658) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, -RPRS-1811--6S I A1 and -RPRS-1812--2S I A1. 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.
