Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1960
String Quartets Op. 59 No. 1-3, Op. 74, Op. 95 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.
5 pressings came out in 1960, the album's first year, in 2 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.
18 534 A Made in Germany L9Runout side A
18 534 2 B Made in Germany L9Runout side B
18 535 A Made in Germany L9Runout side C
18 535 B Made in Germany L9Runout side D
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 | Colombia | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Stereo | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Stereo |
| 1960 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 138 534/536First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1960 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMFirst yearLP, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo, Box Set · Promo |
| 1960 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1960 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18534/536LP, Album, Mono, Box Set, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMLP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1962 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/536 SLPMLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1966 | Brazil | Deutsche Grammophon LPM 18.534/5/6LP | LP |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 138 534/36LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon SKL 1314/16LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2733 005LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1975 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2733 005LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
13 vinyl pressings of String Quartets Op. 59 No. 1-3, Op. 74, Op. 95 are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1960 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in Germany, Colombia. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon LPM 138 534/536, released October 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPM 138 534/536, 138 534/536 SLPM) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 18 534 A Made in Germany L9 and 18 534 2 B Made in Germany L9. 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.
