Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1961
Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 1961, 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.
ARL-5242-4DRunout, stamped, side 1
ARL-5243-5DRunout, stamped, side 2
ARL.5242Label, upside down, side 1
ARL.5243Label, upside down, side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 148 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.148First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | New Zealand | Decca ECS 524 / Eclipse ECS.524LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Decca ECS 524 / Decca ECS.524LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Decca ECS 524 / Decca ECS.524LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Eclipse ECM 524LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | Decca ECS 524 / Eclipse ECS 524LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca 6.41745 / Decca ND 534LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca 6.41745 / Decca ND 534LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | London Records MX 9005LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Ace Of Clubs ACL 148LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Decca 220.024LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca ND 534LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1961 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK. One of them is Ace Of Clubs ACL 148.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ACL 148) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL-5242-4D and ARL-5243-5D. 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.
