Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1959
Piano Concerto No. 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. 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 1959, 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-4270-1E H RT 2 1 SMRunout side A - stamped
ZAL-4271-2E C RT 1Runout side B - stamped
ZAL.4270Matrix on label - side A
ZAL.4271Matrix on label - side B
CA ARL-4270-1A BC KTA-Side runout, stamped
CA ARL-4271-1A A KTB-Side runout, stamped
ZAL.4270A-Side label
ZAL.4271B-Side label
ARL-4270-1A U RTA-Side runout, stamped
ARL-4271-1A DB-Side runout, stamped
ZAL.4270A-Side label
ZAL.4271B-Side label
ZAL-4270-1ERunout Side A
ZAL-4271-2ERunout Side B
ZAL-4270-1E (sideways 10) SM CBRunout side A - stamped
ZAL-4271-2E CARunout side B - stamped
ZAL4270Matrix on label - side A
ZAL4271Matrix on label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | France | Decca SXL 2106First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca SXL 2106 / Decca SXL.2106First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2106 / Decca SXL 2106LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5500 / Decca LXT.5500First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records CS 6096First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | Australia | Decca SXLA - 2106 / Decca SXLA - 2106First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2106 / Decca SXL.2106First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5500 / Decca LXT.5500First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | UK | Decca SXL 2106 / Decca SXL 2106LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Ace Of Diamonds SDDA-226 / Decca SDDA 226LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| 1970 | Canada | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 2175LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | Spain | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 226 / Decca SDD 226LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 226 / Decca SDD 226LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | London Records STS 15111LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca BD 101-A / Decca F-800LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Decca BD 101-A / Decca F-800LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Decca 73883LP | LP |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SXLM 2106 / Decca SXLM.2106LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Piano Concerto No. 3 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1959 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Decca SXL 2106, released March 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2106, LXT 5500, CS 6096, SXLA - 2106) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4270-1E H RT 2 1 SM and ZAL-4271-2E C RT 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.
