Vinyl pressings
by Leadbelly · 1953
Leadbelly's Last Sessions Volume Two was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1953, 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.
FA2942Ax ⨀ MK [Plastylite Ear]Side A runout etched, [Plastylite Ear] stamped
FP 242 B [Plastylite Ear] PB 3D1 2942B 3TSide B runout stamped, 2942B 3T etched
FP2942 C [Plastylite Ear] PD 3D20 3TSide C runout stamped, 3T etched
[Plastylite Ear] FR2942 D PBSide D runout stamped
FA 2942Aₓ Q MK 𝒫Side A runout
PB 3D18 3T FP 242 B 2942 B 𝒫Side B runout
3J5 BR DH XX XX XXXX 2942 C FP 242C-1 𝒫Side C runout
PB 𝒫 FP 242 D 2942 DSide D runout
FP 242 A 3T PB 3D18(Side 1) Stamped
FP 242 B 3T PB 3D18(Side 2) Stamped
FP 242 C-1 3T 3J5 BR DH(Side 3) Stamped
FP 242 D(Side 4) Stamped
FA2942Ax ⨀ MK [Plastylite Ear]Side A runout etched, [Plastylite Ear] stamped
FP 242 B [Plastylite Ear] PB 3D1 2942B 3TSide B runout stamped, 2942B 3T etched
FP2942 C [Plastylite Ear] PD 3D20 3TSide C runout stamped, 3T etched
[Plastylite Ear] FR2942 D PBSide D runout stamped
FA2942Ax ⨀ MK [Plastylite Ear]Side A etched, [Plastylite Ear] stamped
FP 242 B 2942B [Plastylite Ear] 3T PB 3D18Side B stamped, "2942B" & "3T" etched
FP2942 C [Plastylite Ear] PD 3D20 3TSide C stamped, "9" & "3T" etched
[Plastylite Ear] FP 2942 D PBSide D stamped, "9" etched
FP242A P T3 3D18 PBSide A runout stamped (exc. T3), var. 1
FP242B P T3 3D18 PBSide B runout stamped (exc. T3), var. 1
FP2942C-1 T3 3J5 BR DII ̷E̷3̷ ̷O̷P̷ ̷8̷0̷1̷5̷ PSide C runout stamped (exc. T3), var. 1
FP242D PSide D runout stamped, var. 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FP 242 / Folkways Records FP 2942First yearLP, Box Set, Album | LP, Box Set, Album |
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942First yearLP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FP 242First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FP 242First yearBox Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono | Box Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942 / Folkways Records FP 242First yearBox Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono | Box Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Folkways Records FP 242First yearBox Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono | Box Set, Album, Mono, LP · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1962 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1962 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Folkways Records FP 2942Box Set, Album, LP | Box Set, Album, LP |
| ? | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | US | Folkways Records FA 2942LP, Album, Repress, Box Set | LP, Album, Repress, Box Set |
14 vinyl pressings of Leadbelly's Last Sessions Volume Two are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1953 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US. One of them is Folkways Records FP 242.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FP 242, FA 2942) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FA2942Ax ⨀ MK [Plastylite Ear] and FP 242 B [Plastylite Ear] PB 3D1 2942B 3T. 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.
