Vinyl pressings
by Joan Hammond · 1942
La Tosca was first pressed on vinyl in 1942. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1942, the album's first year, in 2 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.
CA 18737-1F HAVariant 1 A side runout, stamped
CA 18738-1A HTVariant 1 B side runout, stamped
CA 18737-1F LGVariant 2 A side runout, stamped
CA 18738-1A LT 0CVariant 2 B side runout, stamped
CA18737Label side A
CA18738Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | UK | Columbia D.B. 2052First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1942 | Australia | Columbia DO-2474First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | UK | Columbia SCD 20017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | Columbia SCD 21037", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Columbia SCD 21037", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.B. 2052Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia SCD 21037", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Parlophone DP. 539Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia DB 2052Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia D.B. 2052Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of La Tosca are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1942 and 1959.
The earliest pressings are from 1942, in UK, Australia. One of them is Columbia D.B. 2052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D.B. 2052, DO-2474) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CA 18737-1F HA and CA 18738-1A HT. 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.
