Vinyl pressings
by Louis Armstrong · 1953
Plays The Blues 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.
2 pressings came out in 1953, 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.
RLP 1001-1 16I GR LP 1 AA etched. GR LP 1 A, raised stamp
RLP 1001-2 16I GR LP 1BB etched, GR LP 1B, raised stamp
RLP 1001 - 1A label
RLP 1001 - 2B label
LRL 29-1B N B CT 1Side A, stamped
LRL 30-1B N B CT 1Side B, stamped
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 | UK | London Records AL.3501 / London Records AL 3501First yearLP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1953 | US | Riverside Records RLP 1001First yearLP, 10", Compilation, Styrene, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | UK | London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation, Repress | LP, 10", Compilation, Repress |
| 1954 | US | Riverside Records RLP 1001LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Spain | London Records LF 2000LP, 10", Compilation | LP, 10", Compilation |
| 1955 | UK | London Records AL.3501 / London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | London Records AL.3501 / London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Brazil | London Records LLS 8.003LP, 10", Compilation | LP, 10", Compilation |
| 1956 | UK | London Records AL.3501LP, 10", Compilation, Reissue | LP, 10", Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | London Records LLS 800310", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation |
| ? | France | London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation | LP, 10", Compilation |
| ? | Germany | London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation | LP, 10", Compilation |
| ? | UK | London Records AL.3501 / London Records AL 3501LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Plays The Blues are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1953 and 1956.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US, UK. One of them is Riverside Records RLP 1001, released January 1953.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RLP 1001, AL.3501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RLP 1001-1 16I GR LP 1 A and RLP 1001-2 16I GR LP 1B. 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.
