Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1955
Eroica was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1955, 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.
F2 RP0932-7S B2Side 1 runouts
F2 RP0933-13S B1Side 2 runouts
F2 RP0932-2S A2Side 1 runouts [Variant 1]
F2 RP0933-6S A1Side 2 runouts [Variant 1]
F2 RP0932-3SSide 1 runouts
F2 RP0933-2SSide 2 runouts
F2RP-0932Side 1 label
F2RP-0933Side 2 label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1899 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1899First yearLP | LP |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1899 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1899First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1899 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1899First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | RCA Victor Red Seal RB 16001 / RCA Victor Red Seal RB16001LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | RCA Victor Red Seal RB 16001 / RCA Victor Red Seal RB16001LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Spain | RCA 3L16155LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | USSR | Мелодия 33Д 028559—60LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | USSR | Мелодия 33Д 028559—60(а) / Мелодия 33Д 028559—60LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | USSR | Мелодия 33Д 028559—60LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | USSR | Мелодия Д-028559 / Мелодия Д-028560LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1899-ALP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия 33Д 028559—60LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
12 vinyl pressings of Eroica are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1955 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1899, released August 19, 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-1899) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F2 RP0932-7S B2 and F2 RP0933-13S B1. 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.
