Vinyl pressings
by Mario Lanza · 1951
Ave Maria / Because was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1951, the album's first year, in 2 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.
EO-RB6399-1A RRSide A runout, variant 1
E1-RB1168-1A RRSide B runout, variant 1
EO-RB6399-1A HSide A runout, variant 2
E1-RB-1168-1A GCSide B runout, variant 2
EO-RB6399-1ARunout side A
EI-RB-1168-1ARunout side B
EO-RB-6399Label side A
EI-RB-1168Label side B
EO-RB6399-1ARunout side A
EI-RB-1168-1ARunout side B
EO-RB-6399Label side A
EI-RB-1168Label side B
EO-RB-6399Matrix, side A
E1-RB-1168Matrix, side B
3 EO-RB6399-1A ATRunout, side A
3 E1-RB1168-1A AGRunout, side B
1 EO-RM 6399-IA MADE IN GERMANYRunout A, Stamped
2 EI-RM-1168-IA MADE IN GERMANYRunout B, Stamped
EO RB 6399Label A, Printed
E1 RB 1168Label B, Printed
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Germany | Electrola DA 1982First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1982First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A. 1982First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A. 1982First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice DA 1982First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1955 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1982 / His Master's Voice D.A. 1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1959 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 11237", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1959 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 11237", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | His Master's Voice DA 1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Italy | La Voce Del Padrone DA 1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | His Master's Voice D.A.1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | His Master's Voice D.A.N. 1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | RCA 45-RCA 11237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1982Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
21 vinyl pressings of Ave Maria / Because are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1951 and 1959.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in UK, Germany. One of them is His Master's Voice D.A.1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D.A.1982, D.A. 1982, DA 1982) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EO-RB6399-1A RR and E1-RB1168-1A RR. 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.
