Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1958
Eroica Symphony was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1958, 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.
J2RY-2114Matrix side A
J2RY-2115Matrix side B
J2RY 2114-4S IRunout side A variant 1
J2RY 2115-1S IRunout side B variant 1
J2RP-3593Label 1
J2RP-3594Label 2
J2RY-2114-1K A 1Side A runout
J2RY-2115-1K 21 SMSide B runout
J2RY-2114Side A label
J2RY-2115Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2233First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | RCA Victor Red Seal SB-2025 / RCA Victor Red Seal SB.2025First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2233First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2233First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | France | RCA Victor Red Seal 640.525 / RCA Victor Red Seal (LSC-2233)LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Japan | Victor Red Seal LS 2210 / Victor Red Seal LS-2210LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Japan | RCA RGC-1002LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | RCA RGC-1002LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victrola VICS-1626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1626LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | RCA Victrola VICS-1626LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Red Seal SB-2025LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK & Ireland | RCA Victor Red Seal RB-16091LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victrola VICS-1626LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Album, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2233 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2233LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
19 vinyl pressings of Eroica Symphony are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1958 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2233, released September 1958.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSC-2233, LM-2233, SB-2025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, J2RY-2114 and J2RY-2115. 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.
