Vinyl pressings
by John Gielgud · 1959
Shakespeare's "Ages Of Man" 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.
5 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
AA01048 ▽ 1L 4 // 420 v v vSide A runout, variant 1
AA01048 ▽ 2L 11 // 420 v v0 vvSide B runout, variant 1
AA01048 ▽ 1L ▽ 4 // 420 V V VSide A runout, variant 2
AA01048 ▽ 2L ▽ 11 // 420 1V V VVSide B runout, variant 2
XXLP45403-1DA side variant 1
XXLP45404-1HB side variant 1
XXLP45403-1CA side variant 2
XXLP45404-1BEB side variant 2
XXLP45403-1CSide A runouts
XLP45404-1DSide B runouts
x"Lp" 45403Side A label
x"Lp" 45404Side B label
XXLP45403-1ADRunout A
XXLP45404-1BGRunout B
MX-116594Label A
MX-116595Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks OL 5390First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Coronet KLC 2692First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Coronet KLC 2692First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Philips ABL 3269 / Philips ABL.3269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1959 | US | Columbia Masterworks OL 5390First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | UK | CBS Classics 61830LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1979 | US | Caedmon SRS 200LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Philips ABL 3269LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Philips ABL 3269LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products 91A 02055LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
10 vinyl pressings of Shakespeare's "Ages Of Man" are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1959 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Philips ABL 3269.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABL 3269, OL 5390, KLC 2692) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA01048 ▽ 1L 4 // 420 v v v and AA01048 ▽ 2L 11 // 420 v v0 vv. 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.
