Vinyl pressings
by Leonard Bernstein · 1956
What Is Jazz was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. 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 1956, the album's first year, in 3 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.
XLP38398-3E.[pin prick dot] / ACenter Deadwax Side A Stamped, .[pin prick dot],/ A Etched.
XLP38398-1G.[pin prick dot] // ACenter Deadwax Side B Stamped, .[pin prick dot],// A Etched.
(x"Lp"38398)Label Side A
(x"Lp"38399)Label Side B
Side A: XLP38398-3GStamped
Side B: XLP38399-1DStamped
XLP38398-2B(Stamped runout, side A, variant 1):
XLP38398-1B(Stamped runout, side B, variant 1):
XLP38398-3G. / ACenter Deadwax Side A Stamped, .[pin prick dot],/ A Etched.
XLP38399-1D.Center Deadwax Side B Stamped, .[pin prick dot],// A Etched.
(x"Lp"38398)Label Side A
(x"Lp"38399)Label Side B
XLP38398-3G.Center Deadwax Side A Stamped, .[pin prick dot],/ A Etched.
XLP38399-1D.Center Deadwax Side B Stamped, .[pin prick dot],// A Etched.
(x"Lp"38398)Label Side A
(x"Lp"38399)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia CL 919First yearLP | LP |
| 1956 | South Africa | CBS ALD 6148First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 919First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 919First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 919First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 919First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Australia | Coronet KLP 587 / Coronet KLP - 587LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | Australia | Coronet KLP 587 / Coronet KLP - 587LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | New Zealand | Coronet KLP 587LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | Philips BBL 7149LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Japan | CBS XM-2-CLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS SBP 234467LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Greece | CBS CBS 82387LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | CBS 25013LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS KLP 587LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Brazil | Columbia LPCB 30020 / Columbia LPCB-30020LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | CBS/Sony YBCC-7LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| ? | US | Columbia Special Products 91A 02053 / CBS 91A 02053LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 919LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 919LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 919LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 919LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
22 vinyl pressings of What Is Jazz are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1956 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Columbia CL 919, released November 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CL 919, ALD 6148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP38398-3E.[pin prick dot] / A and XLP38398-1G.[pin prick dot] // A. 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.
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