US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPA-768
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, EP
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH2990-2S B1 RSide A Stamped
G2 PH2991-2S B A1Side B Stamped
G2PH-2990Label Side A
G2PH-2991Label Side B
Harry BelafonteCalypso
Vinyl pressings
Calypso
by Harry Belafonte · 1956
23 pressings9 countriesCalypsoReggaeLatinPop
Calypso was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Calypso
14 pressings came out in 1956, 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.
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPB-1248RCA Victor EPB 1248
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH-2986-1SRun-out stamp side a
G2 PH-2987-1SRun-out stamp side b
G2 PH-2988-1SRun-out stamp side c
G2 PH-2989-1SRun-out stamp side d
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPA-768RCA Victor EPA 768
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, EP · Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH2990-1S I A1A side runout
G2 PH2991-1S I A1B side runout
G2PH-2990A side label
G2PH-2991B side label
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPA-768
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, EP
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH2990-3S H ASide A Stamped
G2 PH2991-3S H ASide B Stamped
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPB-1248RCA Victor EPB 1248
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP · I - Indianapolis Pressing, Auto-Coupled
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH-2986-3SRun-out stamp side a
G2 PH-2987-1SRun-out stamp side b
G2 PH-2988-6SRun-out stamp side c
G2 PH-2989-1SRun-out stamp side d
US
1956- Label and catalog number
- RCA Victor EPA-768RCA Victor EPA 768
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, EP · Hollywood Pressing
- Runout / matrix
G2 PH2990-3S H ARunout A, stamped
G2 PH2991-3S H ARunout B, stamped
G2PH-2990Label A
G2PH-2991Label B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 23 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor EPB-1248First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Canada | RCA Victor EPA-768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Germany | RCA Victor EPA-768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Norway | RCA EPA-768 / RCA EPA 768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | Norway | RCA EPA 768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | UK | His Master's Voice 7EG 8211First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPB-1248 / RCA Victor EPB 1248First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-768 / RCA Victor EPA 768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPB-1248 / RCA Victor EPB 1248First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPA-768 / RCA Victor EPA 768First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPB-1248 / RCA Victor EPB 1248First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1956 | US | RCA Victor EPB-1248 / RCA Victor EPB 1248First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP |
| 1957 | Germany | RCA EPB 1248-2 / RCA EPB-1248-27", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor EPA-7687", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Mexico | RCA Victor MKE-1927", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Mexico | Rca Victor EPA-7687", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Jugoton EP RC 9064 / RCA 4 G 2 PH-00847", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Jugoton EP-RC-9064 / RCA 4 G 2 PH-00847", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
Tracklist
- A1Day O
- A2Will His Love Be Like His Rum?
- B1Jamaica Farewell
- B2Dolly Dawn
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Calypso are there?
23 vinyl pressings of Calypso are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1956 and 1958.
When was Calypso first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor EPA-768.
How do I tell if my copy of Calypso is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPA-768, EPB-1248, 7EG 8211, EPA 768) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G2 PH2990-2S B1 R and G2 PH2991-2S B A1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Calypso on vinyl worth?
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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1960 · 65 pressings
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