Vinyl pressings
by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov · 1959
Scheherazade was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
SR 90195A FR2 I A3Side 1 runout, variant 1
SR 90195B FR2 I A2Side 2 runout, variant 1
SR 90195A FR6Side 1 runout, variant 2
SR 90195B FR3Side 2 runout, variant 2
YMG - 50009 - A - QR - 1Side 1 etched
YMG - 50009 - B - QR - 1Side 2 etched
7 YMG 50009 - A - MF 2Runout Side 1 etched
A2 YMG - 50009 - B - MF 4Runout Side 2 etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Mercury Living Presence MG 50009First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | Mercury Living Presence MG 50009First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | Mercury SR90195 / Mercury Living Presence SR-90195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Mercury SR90195 / Mercury Living Presence SR90195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | UK | Mercury AMS 16057LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Mercury AMS 16057LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | Mercury MMA 11022 / Mercury MG 50009LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Philips GL 5835LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Philips SGL 5835LP, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | Germany | Philips 839 599 VGYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Philips 839 599 VGYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | Mercury SRI 75008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Germany | Philips 6527 155LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Mercury MG 50009LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Argentina | Fontana 894 027 2YLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Mercury 50.009LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Philips 838 501 VYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Fontana 6547 028 / Fontana 130 510LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Philips 838 501 VYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Fontana 894 027 ZKYLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Philips 6529 135LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Fontana 894 027 ZKYLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 130 510 MGY / Mercury Living Presence 130510 MGYLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 120510 MGLLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Netherlands | Fontana 894 027 ZKYLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 838 501 VYLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 610901 VLLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury MG 50009LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
28 vinyl pressings of Scheherazade are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1959 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Canada. One of them is Mercury SR90195.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR90195, MG 50009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 90195A FR2 I A3 and SR 90195B FR2 I A2. 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.
