Vinyl pressings
by Hector Berlioz · 1958
Symphonie Fantastique was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 4 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-3805-1E CA RT 1 4Side A runout, variant 1
ZAL-3806-1E KI RT 3 1Side B runout, variant 1
ZAL-3805-1E CA UN 2 1Side A runout, variant 2
ZAL-3806-1E CA RT 3 1Side B runout, variant 2
2D ZAL-3805-3E NRunout side A ( "2D" and "N" tilted 90°)
2D ZAL-3806-3E CRunout side B ( "2D" and "C" tilted 90°)
ZAL.3805Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.3806Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-3805-3E C RT 1 CRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-3806-3E N RT 2 BRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.3805Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.3806Matrix on label - side B
ARL-3805-IA U RT 1Side A
ARL+3806-IA U RT 2Side B
ZAL.3805Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.3806Matrix on label - side B
ZAL.3805Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.3806Matrix on label - side B
CA ZAL-3805-1E A RT 21
CA ZAL-3806-1E BN RT 31
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | UK | Decca LXT 5423First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | London Records LL 3016First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | London Records CM 9227First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | London Records CS 6025First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | France | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | France | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2009First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2009First yearLP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1958 | US | London Records CS 6025First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | US | London Records CS 6025 / London Records CS.6025First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | New Zealand | Decca SXLM 2009First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | UK | Decca SXL 2009First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Decca SXL 2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | France | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Canada | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 115 / London Records SDD 115LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Mexico | London Records B-19233LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Japan | London Records SL-1011LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | London Records STS 15006 / London Records STS.15006LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | London Records STS 15006 / London Records STS.15006LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | Decca 116.115 / Ace Of Diamonds 116.115 BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 115LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Germany | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca SGM 27.025LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds adda-115LP | LP |
| ? | France | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 115LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca SXL 2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca SXL 2009 / Decca SXL.2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2009LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 115 / Decca SDD 115LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 115 / Decca ADD 115LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 115 / Decca SDD 115LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2009LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Symphonie Fantastique are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1958 and 1997.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in UK, US, France, New Zealand. One of them is Decca SXL 2009, released September 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2009, LXT 5423, CS 6025, LL 3016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-3805-1E CA RT 1 4 and ZAL-3806-1E KI RT 3 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.
