Vinyl pressings
by Harry Belafonte · 1955
Belafonte (Act I) was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1955, 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.
45-9/F2-PH-7732-X Manufactured in GermanyRunout A
45-9/F2-PH-7733-X Manufactured in GermanyRunout B
F 2 PH 7732Label A
F 2 PH 7733Label B
F2PH-7732Side A label
F2PH-7733Side B label
F2PH-7732Side A label
F2PH-7733Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | RCA Victor EPA 693First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1955 | Germany | RCA Victor 45EP EPA-693 / RCA Victor EPA - 693First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor EPA 693 / RCA Victor EPA 693First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA EPA-6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Norway | RCA EPA-693 / RCA EPA 6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Norway | RCA EPA-693 / RCA EPA 6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-693 / RCA Victor EPA 6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Scandinavia | RCA EPA 6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Scandinavia | RCA EPA 6937", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
10 vinyl pressings of Belafonte (Act I) are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1955 and 1956.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in Germany, US, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor 45EP EPA-693.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45EP EPA-693, EPA 693) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-9/F2-PH-7732-X Manufactured in Germany and 45-9/F2-PH-7733-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.
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1956 · 108 pressings
Belafonte At Carnegie Hall (The Complete Concert)
1959 · 94 pressings
Cocoanut Woman / Island In The Sun
1957 · 76 pressings
Belafonte Returns To Carnegie Hall
1960 · 65 pressings
An Evening With Belafonte / Mouskouri
1965 · 63 pressings
Banana Boat (Day-O) / Star-O
1956 · 57 pressings
