Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1957
Fidelio was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1957, the album's first year. 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.
Made in FranceRunout all sides
18 390 Face ILabel side A
18 390 Face 2Label side B
18 391 Face 3Label side C
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 18 390/91 LPM / Deutsche Grammophon 18 390First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1958 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 18390/91 LPMBox Set, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 18390/91 LPMBox Set, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | South Africa | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18390/91Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 121-123LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1960 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 121-123Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 18390/91 LPMBox Set, LP, Repress, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 390/91 SLPMBox Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2705 037LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2721 168LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2727 006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2705037LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2726 088LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 390/91 SLPMLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Japan | Heliodor MH 5065 / 6LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Deutsche Grammophon DGM 18390 / Deutsche Grammophon DGM 18391LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2705 037Box Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Decca DXH-147 / Decca DX-147LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
18 vinyl pressings of Fidelio are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1957 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in France. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 18 390/91 LPM.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 18 390/91 LPM) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Made in France and 18 390 Face I. 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.
