Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1950
Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat, Op. 55 was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. 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 1950, the album's first year, in 4 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.
49-1053-A (12-1151-A) Side 1Label, side A
49-1053-B (12-1151-B) Side 12Label, side B
49-1054-A (12-1152-A) Side 2Label, side C
49-1054-B (12-1152-B) Side 11Label, side D
E0-LRC-3814 3S C C4KSide A runout
E0-LRC-3815 3S I L B 1 A1LSide B runout
E0-LRC-3814Side A center label
E0-LRC-3815Side B center label
E0 LRC 3814 32S I A3Side A runout stamped
E0 LRC 3815 28S I A2Side B runout stamped
E0-LRC-3814Side A label
E0-LRC-3815Side B label
EOLRC-3814A - Label + Runout
EOLRC-3815B - Label + Runout
49-1053-ASide 1 runout
49-1054-ASide 2 runout
49-1055-ASide 3 runout
49-1056-ASide 4 runout
E0-LRC-3814A - Label + Runout
E0-LRC-3815B - Label + Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1375First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1950 | Europe | RCA Red Seal L16475First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | Germany | RCA Red Seal LM-1042First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1375First year7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1952 | South Africa | His Master's Voice JALP 1008LP | LP |
| 1952 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1008LP | LP |
| 1953 | France | La Voix De Son Maître FALP 232LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | Italy | RCA Italiana LM-1042LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 1954 | Italy | RCA Italiana LM-1042LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 1955 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1042LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | France | RCA 630 322LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Australia | RCA Red Seal L16124LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Italy | RCA AT 121LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | RCA Victor Sello Rojo LM-1042LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Das Beste Reader's Digest RD 1002 / Reader's Digest RD 1002LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042LP | LP |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ALP.1008 / His Master's Voice ALP 1008LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ALP.1008 / His Master's Voice ALP 1008LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 13757", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 1042LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1042LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
26 vinyl pressings of Symphony No. 3 In E-Flat, Op. 55 are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1950 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US, Canada, Europe, Germany. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal WDM 1375, released May 1950.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WDM 1375, LM-1042, L16475) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 49-1053-A (12-1151-A) Side 1 and 49-1053-B (12-1151-B) Side 12. 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.
