Vinyl pressings
by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · 1954
Scheherazade was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1954, 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.
(x"Lp"31171)Matrix Side 1
(x"Lp"31172)Matrix Side 2
XLP31171-4BRunout stamped Side 1
XLP31172-4DRunout stamped Side 2
XLP31171-4DStamped Side 1
XLP31172-4DStamped Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 4888First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | Columbia Masterworks A-1103First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4888 / Columbia Masterworks ML-4888First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | Philips NBL 5013LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia CL 850LP | LP |
| 1956 | Canada | Columbia CL 850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | New Zealand | Coronet KLC 667LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 850 / Columbia CL-850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 850 / Columbia CL-850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 850 / Columbia CL-850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Columbia CL 850LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4888LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Spain | Philips A 01365 LLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Columbia Masterworks 4062LP | LP |
| ? | Australia | Philips N 02112 LLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Brazil | Columbia LPCB-32027LP | LP |
| ? | France | Philips N 02.112 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Philips N 02112 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips N 02112 LLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 4888LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Uruguay | Columbia Masterworks 4062LP | LP |
22 vinyl pressings of Scheherazade are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1954 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 4888, released November 1954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 4888, A-1103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (x"Lp"31171) and (x"Lp"31172). 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.
