Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1964
Fidelio was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ZAL-6353-1ERunout side 1, stamped
ZAL-6354-2ERunout side 2, stamped
ZAL-6355-1ERunout side 3, stamped
ZAL-6356-1ERunout side 4, stamped
ARL-6353-1ARunout side 1, stamped
ARL-6354-2ARunout side 2, stamped
ARL-6355-4ARunout side 3, stamped
ARL-6356-4ARunout side 4, stamped
ZAL-6353-1ERunout side 1, stamped
ZAL-6354-2ERunout side 2, stamped
ZAL-6355-1ERunout side 3, stamped
ZAL-6356-1ERunout side 4, stamped
ZAL-6353-1ERunout side 1, stamped
ZAL-6354-2ERunout side 2, stamped
ZAL-6355-1ERunout side 3, stamped
ZAL-6356-1ERunout side 4, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Australia | Decca SETA 272/3 / Decca SETA 272-3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | Germany | Decca SXL 20085/86-BFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | Germany | Decca 9297 / Decca SGD 583/584First yearLP, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Spain | Decca SXLE-SET 273First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | London Records OSA 1259First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | UK | Decca SET 272/3 / Decca SET 272-3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1964 | UK | Decca MET 272/3 / Decca MET 272-3First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | Decca SET 272/3 / Decca SET 272-3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Decca SMA 25 047-D/1-3Box Set, Album, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Album, LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SET 272/3 / Decca SET 272-3LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | Germany | Decca 6.35444 DXLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Decca 6.48202LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca 72309LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca 72309LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca SFD 583-B / Decca SFD 584-BLP, Album, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Special Edition, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 72304 / Decca 72305LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
16 vinyl pressings of Fidelio are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1964 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in UK, US, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Decca SET 272/3, released November 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SET 272/3, MET 272/3, OSA 1259, SETA 272/3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-6353-1E and ZAL-6354-2E. 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.
