Vinyl pressings
by Neil Sedaka · 1974
Live At The Royal Festival Hall was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
2383299 B//1 420 0x̶ 1 1 4Stamped Runout, Side A (Variant 1)
2383299 A//2 IB 13 3Stamped Runout, Side B (Variant 1)
2383299 A//2 IB 1Y6 1Stamped Runout, Side A (Variant 2)
2383299 B//1 IB 03 (3 crossed out) 1 1 9Stamped Runout, Side B (Variant 2)
2383299 A 6784 700Hand Etched, Side A
2383299 B 6784700Hand Etched, Side B
MX174054 2383299-1Stamped Runout, Side A
MX174055 2383299-2Stamped Runout, Side B
2383 299 S1 320Runout side A stamped
2383 299 S2 320Runout side B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Polydor 2383 299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2383 299First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2383 299First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 299 / Polydor 2383-299First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | Norway | Polydor 2383 299First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | South Africa | Polydor CESS 21First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | UK | Polydor 2383 299 / Polydor 2383-299First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | UK | Polydor 2383 299First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | UK | Polydor 2383 299 / Polydor 2383-299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Polydor MP 2435LP | LP |
| 1976 | Ecuador | Polydor LP-75080LP, Numbered, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Numbered, Stereo · Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Polydor SPELP 65LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Live At The Royal Festival Hall are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and more. One of them is Polydor 2383 299.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2383 299, CESS 21) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2383299 B//1 420 0x̶ 1 1 4 and 2383299 A//2 IB 13 3. 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.
