Vinyl pressings
by Ludwig van Beethoven · 1958
Trios was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1958, 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.
H2 RP6516-5SRunout side A variant 1
H2 RP6517-5SRunout side B variant 1
H2 RP6516-5S B2Runout side A variant 2
H2RP 6517 5S I A2Runout side B variant 2
H2 RP6516-2sSide 1
H2 RP6517-2sSide 2
I A2 HAR_2186_A J8 0L2740-1A-Side Runout Etching
I A2 HAR_2186_B J8 0L2741-1B-Side Runout Etching
J80L2740A-Side Label
J80L2741B-Side Label
H2 RP6516-2sSide 1
H2 RP6517-2sSide 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Argentina | RCA Victor LM 2186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1958 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2186First yearLP | LP |
| 1958 | France | RCA 630.468 / RCA LM 2186First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186-REFirst yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186First yearLP | LP |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| 1958 | US | Music-Appreciation Records MAR 2186First yearLP, 10", Mono · Mono | LP, 10", Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186-CLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186LP | LP |
10 vinyl pressings of Trios are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, Argentina, Canada, France. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2186.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-2186, MAR 2186, LM 2186, 630.468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, H2 RP6516-5S and H2 RP6517-5S. 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.
