Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1960
Pastoral Symphony was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 4 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-4676-1E K ⵎT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL-4677-1E K ⵎT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ZAL.4676Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4677Matrix on label - side B
ZAL.4676Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4677Matrix on label - side B
ZAL-4676-1E K ⵎT 1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant 1
ZAL-4677-1E K ⵎT 1Runout side B - machine stamped - variant 1
ZAL-4676-1E G 1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant 2
ZAL-4677-1E A 21 SMRunout side B - machine stamped - variant 2
ZAL-4676-1E I ⵎT USide A - machine stamped - variant 1
ZAL-4677-1E I ⵎT USide B - machine stamped - variant 1
ZAL.4676Matrix on label - side A inverted
ZAL.4677Matrix on label - side B inverted
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Decca SXL 2193First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | Spain | Decca SXL 2193 / Decca SXL.2193First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2193 / Decca SXL.2193First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Decca LXT 5566 / Decca LXT 5566First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | UK | Decca SXL 2193 / Decca SXL.2193First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | London Records CS 6160 / London Records CS.6160First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | London Records CS 6160 / London Records CS.6160First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 106 / Ace Of Diamonds SDD.106LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds ADD.106 / Ace Of Diamonds ADD 106LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 106LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | Spain | Decca SXL 2193 / Decca SXL.2193LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | London Records STS 15064LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1969 | France | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 106LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 106 / Ace Of Diamonds SDD.106LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | UK | Decca ECS 781 / Eclipse ECS 781LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Decca ECS 781 / Eclipse ECS 781LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | London Records STS 15064LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | London Records SXL 2193LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 106LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca SXL 2193LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | London Records SL 1005LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | London Records CM.9243 / London Records CM 9243LP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca ECS 781 / Eclipse ECS 781LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca NUX 390 022LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CM.9243LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records STS 15064LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records STS 15064LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Pastoral Symphony are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1960 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK, US, France, Spain. One of them is Decca SXL 2193, released April 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2193, LXT 5566, CS 6160) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4676-1E K ⵎT 1 and ZAL-4677-1E K ⵎT 1. 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.
