Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1956
Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major Op. 55 was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year, in 3 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.
XAX 870-8N G 1Side A, stamped variant 1
XAX 871-3NSide B, stamped variant 1
XAX 870-1NSide A, stamped variant 2
XAX 871-1NSide B, stamped variant 2
XAX-X-870-H1Runout Side A
XAX-871-N8Runout Side B
XAX-X-870Center Label Side A
XAX-X-871Center Label Side B
XAX 870-9N T 13Side A Runout [stamped]
XAX 871-3N GP 12Side B Runout [stamped]
XAX.870Side A Label
XAX.871Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | South Africa | Columbia 33JCX 1346 / Columbia 33 JCX 1346First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | UK | Columbia 33 CX 1346 / Columbia 33CX 1346First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Angel Records 35328First yearLP | LP |
| 1957 | Philippines | Parlophone CX 33 1346 / Parlophone CX33 1346LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | Columbia 33CX 1346 / Columbia 33 CX 1346LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Germany | Columbia C 90493 / Columbia 33 WCX 1346LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Columbia 33-OCX-1346 / Columbia 33OCX 1346LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Columbia FCX 557LP | LP |
| ? | Netherlands | Columbia 33CX 1346LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | New Zealand | Columbia 33MCX.1346LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Columbia 33CX 1346 / Columbia 33 CX 1346LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Columbia 33CX 1346 / Columbia CX 1346LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Angel Records ANG.35328LP | LP |
| ? | US | Angel Records ANG.35328LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Angel Records 35328 / Angel Records ANG. 35328LP | LP |
15 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 In E Flat Major Op. 55 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1956 and 1961.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in UK, US, South Africa. One of them is Columbia 33 CX 1346, released June 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 33 CX 1346, 35328, 33JCX 1346) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XAX 870-8N G 1 and XAX 871-3N. 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.
