Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1964
»Hammerklavier-Sonate« Nr. 29 B-dur 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.
1 pressing came out in 1964, 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.
18944 A Made in Germany Ⓟ 1964 2 F4 WI-S [sideways C]Runout stamped side A
18944 B Made in Germany Ⓟ 1964 2 F4 WI-S [sideways D]Runout stamped side B
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 | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18 944First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1965 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 618 944 / Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18 944LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 / Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 SLPMLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18 944LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 SLPMLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 SLPMLP, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1968 | Philippines | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 SLPMLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 329LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 329LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 329LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 2535 329LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 944 / Deutsche Grammophon 2535 329LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of »Hammerklavier-Sonate« Nr. 29 B-dur are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1964 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in Europe. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18 944.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPM 18 944) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 18944 A Made in Germany Ⓟ 1964 2 F4 WI-S [sideways C] and 18944 B Made in Germany Ⓟ 1964 2 F4 WI-S [sideways D]. 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.
