Vinyl pressings
by Lester Young · 1977
Lester Swings was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
VE-22616-APW HW (PR)A Side Etched
VE-22616-BPW HW (PR)B Side Etched
VE-22616-CPW HW (PR)C Side Etched
VE-22616-DPW HW (PR)D Side Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Verve Records VE-2-2516 / Verve Records 2367 295First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | France | Verve Records 2610 039LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1977 | Germany | Verve Records 2632 067 / Verve Records 2367 295/96First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | US | Verve Records VE-2-2516LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Verve Records VE-2-2516LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Verve Records VE-2-2516LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1977 | US | Verve Records VE-2-2516LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | World Record Club R-05816 / World Record Club R-05817LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Verve Records 833 554-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Verve Records VE-2-2516LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Lester Swings are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in France, Germany. One of them is Verve Records VE-2-2516.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VE-2-2516, 2632 067) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VE-22616-APW HW (PR) and VE-22616-BPW HW (PR). 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.
