Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1962
French Suites was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 1962, 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.
TT-559-1B U OT 1A-side runout - variant 1
TT-560-1B U OT 1 SUB-side runout - variant 1
TT-559-1B B OT 1A-side runout - variant 2
TT-560-1B B OT 1B-side runout - variant 2
ZTT-559-1DA-side runout, stamped
ZTT-560-2DB-side runout, stamped
ZTT.559Side A label
ZTT.560Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | UK | L'Oiseau-Lyre OL 50208 / London Records OL 50208First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | L'Oiseau-Lyre SOL 60039 / London Records SOL.60039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | Australia | World Record Club S/T4209 / World Record Club ST-4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1967 | Australia | World Record Club T-4209 / World Record Club S/T4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1969 | UK | L'Oiseau-Lyre SOL 60039LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | Australia | World Record Club S/T4209 / World Record Club S-4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | World Record Club S/4209 / World Record Club ST-4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1971 | Australia | World Record Club S/4209 / World Record Club S-4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S/4209 / World Record Club S-4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1973 | Brazil | London Records LLC 5294-SLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | World Record Club R-00234 / World Record Club S/4209LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Europe | Decca SA 5LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Serenata 6.42752 / Decca 6.42752LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of French Suites are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1962 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in UK. One of them is L'Oiseau-Lyre OL 50208, released February 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OL 50208, SOL 60039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TT-559-1B U OT 1 and TT-560-1B U OT 1 SU. 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.
