Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1972
9 Symphonies was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
00 2561 168 =2 S1 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦v AARunout area side A
00 2561 168 =2 S2 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦V SRunout area side B
00 2561 169 =2 S3 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout area side C
00 2561 169 S4 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout area side D
00 2561 168 =2 S1 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦vRunout side A, variant 1
00 2561 168 =2 S2 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦VRunout side B, variant 1
00 2561 169 =2 S3 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout side C, variant 1
00 2561 169 S4 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout side D, variant 1
18 (P) 1972 F72 oV 00 2561 168 =2 S1
00 2561 168 =2 S1 A/1 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦VRunout area side A
00 2561 168 =2 S2 B/2 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦VRunout area side B
00 2561 169 =2 S3 A/1 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout area side C
00 2561 169 S4 B/1 ℗ 1972 E72 ♦Z1Runout area side D
2561 168 = 3 S1Record 1, Side 1: 320; AK 1 . 0 11C
2563 656 = 2 S2Record 1, Side 2: 320; A1; 9A
2561 170 S5 = 9Record 2, Side 3: 320; BL; 0 .5A
2561 170 S6 = 8Record 2, Side 4: 320; DS
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10First yearBox Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10First yearLP, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1972 | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10First yearBox Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-32First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-32First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2721 154LP, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1972 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 63 609First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1972 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 25 61 168First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1972 | Switzerland | Ex Libris XL 171 822/830 / Grammoclub Ex Libris XL 171 822/830First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2721 154First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10 / Deutsche Grammophon 2561-168 - 176First yearBox Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 116-10First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1975 | Brazil | Deutsche GrammophonBox Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Compilation, LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon R 205040 / Deutsche Grammophon R-205040LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2740 115LP, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon R 205040 / Deutsche Grammophon R-205040LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| 1985 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon R 205040 / Deutsche Grammophon R-205040LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045 ULP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045 18LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045 14/16LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2563 656LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 2721 154LP, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Box Set, Compilation |
| ? | US | Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10LP, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Box Set, Compilation |
29 vinyl pressings of 9 Symphonies are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1972 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Europe, UK, US, France and more. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 2720 045-10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2720 045-10, 2721 154, 2720 116-10, 2720 045-32) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 00 2561 168 =2 S1 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦v AA and 00 2561 168 =2 S2 ℗ 1972 F72 ♦V S. 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.
