Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1963
Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat, Op. 55 was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. 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 1963, 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.
OKBP 10440 1S 1A 3Runout side A, variant 1
OKBP 10441 1S 2A 2Runout side B, variant 1
OKBP 10440 1S - 1A 4Runout side A, variant 2
OKBP 10441 1S - 1A 5Runout side B, variant 2
s1: PRRS 3419hand-etched
s2: PRRS 3420hand-etched
PRRS 3419A side runout hand-etched
PRRS 3420B side runout hand-etched
N PRRM.3417Label Side A
N PRRM.3418Label Side B
LP - Ste - PRRS - 3419 - X E Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
LP - Ste - PRRS - 3420 - X C Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
PRRS-3419Printed on label side A
PRRS-3420Printed on label side B
LP-PRRM-3417-X S-I-H Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
LP-PRRM-3418-X S-I-H Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
PRRM-3417Label side A
PRRM-3418Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | RCA Victrola Red Seal VICS-1036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Canada | RCA Victrola Red Seal VICS-1036First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Germany | RCA Victrola VIC.1036First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1036 EXFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Germany | RCA Victrola VIC.1036First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Italy | RCA Victrola VICS-1036 / RCA Italiana KVS 16First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victrola VIC 1036 / RCA Victrola VIC.1036LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victrola VIC 1036LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victrola Red Seal VICS-1036 / RCA Victrola Red Seal VICS 1036LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | RCA Victrola Red Seal VIC-1036 / RCA Victrola Red Seal VIC 1036LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Italy | RCA Victrola KV-16 / RCA Victrola KV 16First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | RCA Victrola VIC 1036LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1967 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1036LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1967 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1036LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Decca SPA 123LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Decca SPA 123LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Decca SPA 123 / Decca SPA.123LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | London Records STS15190LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | London Records STS15190LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | London Records STS15190LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Japan | The Super Analogue Disc KIJC 9186LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victrola VIC-1036LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | RCA Victrola VIC-1036LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Decca 592018LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca ND 601LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola Red Seal VIC 1036 EXLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1036 / RCA Red Seal VICS 1036LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola Red Seal VICS-1036LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | RCA Victor Red Seal SMR 8003LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA Victrola KV-16 / RCA Victrola KV 16LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 123LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
31 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat, Op. 55 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1963 and 1996.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in Italy, Canada, Germany. One of them is RCA Victrola KV-16, released September 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KV-16, VICS-1036, VIC.1036, VICS 1036 EX) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, OKBP 10440 1S 1A 3 and OKBP 10441 1S 2A 2. 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.
