Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1977
Symphonie Nr. 3 'Eroica' 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.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
2563 796 S 3 = 15Side A runout stamped and etched
2563 796 S 4 = 10Side B runout stamped and etched
2563 796 S 3 - 13Side 2 Matrix Variant
2563 796 S 3 = 17 320 1 G SSide A runout stamped Variant 3
2563 796 = 5 S 3 320 1 Z BRunout side A
2563 796 = 5 S 4 320 1 H CRunout side B
2563 796 S 3Label side A
2563 796 S 4Label side B
2563 796 = 5 S3 320 4 I 2∙1Runout side A, stamped
2563 796 = 5 S 4 320 11 4 1∙4Runout side B, stamped
2563 796 S 3Label side A
2563 796 S 4Label side B
2563 796 S 3Side A label
2563 796 S 4 Made in AustriaSide 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 | Austria | Deutsche Grammophon 46 502LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1977 | Austria | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Europe | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2563 796First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 46 502 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Italy | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Switzerland | Ex Libris XL 176 135First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP | LP |
| 1978 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 25 31 103LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1978 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Deutsche Grammophon 25 31 103LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Germany | ZDF 66.22 803LP | LP |
| 1983 | Italy | WG Records WG 30003LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 29 876-0LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 99 069LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 29 876-0LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Deutsche Grammophon MG 1123LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Venezuela | Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Symphonie Nr. 3 'Eroica' are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Germany, UK, Austria, Canada and more. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 2531 103.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2531 103, 2563 796, XL 176 135) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2563 796 S 3 = 15 and 2563 796 S 4 = 10. 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.
