Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1977
Piano Concerto No. 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
AA 6597 018 1Y 12 Ⓟ 1977 670 03 117Side A - runout stamped
6597 018 2Y 11 Ⓟ 1977 670 126 06Side B - runout stamped
9500 471 (6597 018.1 Y)Side A - label
9500 471 (6597 018.2 Y)Side B - label
✳ AA 6597 018 1Y2 ℗1977 670 11 33 03Stamped runout, side A
✳ AA 6597 018 2Y 7 ℗1977 670 11L2 8Stamped runout, side B
6597 018.1 YLabel matrix, side A
6597 018.2 YLabel matrix, side B
✳ AA 6597 018 1Y 5 ℗1977 670 12 03 9500471 1YStamped runout, side A ("9500471 1Y", etched)
✳ AA 6597 018 2Y 7 ℗1977 670 06 9500471 2YStamped runout, side B ("9500471 2Y", etched)
6597 018.1YLabel matrix, side A
6597 018.2YLabel matrix, side B
AA 6597 018 1Y 12 Ⓟ 1977 670 03 111Side A - runout stamped
6597 018 2Y 13 Ⓟ 1977 670 123 06Side B - runout stamped
6597 018.1 YSide A - label
6597 018.2 YSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | France | Philips 9500 471First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Philips 9500 471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Philips 9500 471First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Philips 9500 471First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Philips 9500 471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Philips X-7861LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Brazil | Philips 9500 471LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Spain | Philips 9500 471LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Philips 38224LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Switzerland | Ex Libris PH 6858 872LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 2 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Netherlands, UK, France, Germany. One of them is Philips 9500 471.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9500 471) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6597 018 1Y 12 Ⓟ 1977 670 03 117 and 6597 018 2Y 11 Ⓟ 1977 670 126 06. 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.
