Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1960
Organ Recital was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1960, 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-4777-1E U ET 2 1 SMRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4778-1E C ET 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4777Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4778Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4777-1E K ⵎT 2 1 SMRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4778-2E H ⵎT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4777Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4778Matrix on label - side B
ARL-2397-3ASide 1
ARL-2398-3ASide 2
ZAL-4777-1E K ⵎT 2 1 SMRunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4778-2E H ⵎT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4777Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4778Matrix on label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Spain | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | London Records CM 9125First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Australia & New Zealand | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | Japan | London Records SLC-1222LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | Japan | London Records SLA 1005LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 258LP | LP |
| 1973 | France | Decca 116.258 / Ace Of Diamonds 116.258 BLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | Chile | London Records SLLC-38672LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Decca SPA 459LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK & Europe | Decca SPA 459LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 258LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Decca SA 2LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | Serenata LSDC-73159 / Jugoton LSDC-73159LP | LP |
| 1984 | Germany | Decca 411 388-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | London Records K20C 8618LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Decca 411003-1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1987 | France | Decca 420.426-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Decca 417 679-1LP | LP |
| 1989 | Japan | London Records K38C 70044LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Japan | London Records KIJC-9149LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | London Records LLC 5319-SLP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | France | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 258LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.41568 AN / Decca SMD 1231LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.43578LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SMD 1231LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.41568 BHLP | LP |
| ? | Italy | Ace Of Diamonds SDDI 258LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Decca PSPA 459LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Decca PSPA 459LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Decca SXL 2219 / Decca SXL.2219LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 258LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Organ Recital are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1960 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Spain. One of them is Decca SXL 2219, released July 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2219, CM 9125) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4777-1E U ET 2 1 SM and ZAL-4778-1E C ET 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.
