Vinyl pressings
by Joan Sutherland · 1959
Operatic Arias was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 6 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-4506-2E CU 10 SMRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4507-3D CB 12 SMRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4506Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4507Matrix on label - side B
ARL-4507-2ASide A runout, variant 1
ARL-4506-2ASide B runout, variant 1
ARL-4506-5ASide A runout, variant 2
ARL-4507-5ASide B runout, variant 2
ZAL-4506-2E CU 10 SMRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4507-3D CB 12 SMRunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4506Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4507Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4506-2Estamped, Side A
ZAL-4507-3Dstamped, Side B
ZAL.4506printed, Side A
ZAL.4507printed, Side B
ARL-4506-1A
ARL-4507-2A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | France | Disques Decca LXT 5531First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Decca NUX 390 038First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1959 | US | London Records OS 25111First yearLP, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | Canada | London Records X.5515 / London Records 5515First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records X.5515First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Decca CEPM 657First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2159 / Decca SXL.2159First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2159 / Decca SXL.2159LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1959 | US | London Records OS.25111First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5531First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5531 / Decca LXT.5531LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | France | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 146LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 146LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD 146LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Decca JB 97LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | Decca JB 97LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Decca JB 97LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Decca JB 97LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Korea | Decca JB 97LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca LXT 5531LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds SDDA 146LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2159 / Decca SXLA-2159LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca LXTA 5531LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds SDDA 146 / Ace Of Diamonds SDDA-146LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2159-BLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 21 046-B / Decca SXL 21046-BLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1168LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1168LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | World Record Club TZ 290 / World Record Club TZ.290LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | South Africa | Decca LXT 5531LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | South Africa | Festival FCL 5158 / Festival FCL.5158LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca LXT 5531LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records X.5515LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records OS 25111LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of Operatic Arias are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1959 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is Decca SXL 2159, released July 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2159, LXT 5531, X.5515, OS.25111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4506-2E CU 10 SM and ZAL-4507-3D CB 12 SM. 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.
