Vinyl pressings
by Jan Clayton · 1946
Show Boat was first pressed on vinyl in 1946. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1946, the album's first year. 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.
XCO 35831 B 1B 25 AA side stamped variant 1
XCO 35832 A 1A 17 BB side stamped variant 1
XCO 35833 c̲ 1B 27C side stamped variant 1
XCO 35834 1A 1D side stamped variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | US | Columbia Masterworks MM-611 / Columbia Masterworks MM 611First yearShellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 12", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1948 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1948 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1948 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 54058LP | LP |
| 1948 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP | LP |
| 1948 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | US | Columbia Masterworks A-611 / Columbia Masterworks A 611Box Set, Album, Reissue, 7", 45 RPM | Box Set, Album, Reissue, 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Australia | Coronet KLL 549LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks OL 4058LP | LP |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks OL 4058LP | LP |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks OL 4058LP | LP |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks A-611 / Columbia Masterworks A 6117", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4058LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Show Boat are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1946 and 1961.
The earliest pressings are from 1946, in US. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MM-611.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MM-611) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XCO 35831 B 1B 25 A and XCO 35832 A 1A 17 B. 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.
