Vinyl pressings
by Perry Como · 1949
Some Enchanted Evening / Bali Ha'i was first pressed on vinyl in 1949. 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 1949, 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.
20-3402A 5S IV A[rotated 90*] 2 L[rotated 90*]Runout side A
20-3402B 6S IV A[rotated 90*] 2 L[rotated 90*]Runout side B
20-3402-ALabel side A
20-3402-BLabel side B
20-3402-ALabel A
20-3402-BLabel B
47-2896 A 2S I A1C3Side A runout, stamped
47-2896 B 2S I A1EƐSide B runout, stamped
47-2896-ASide A matrix on label
47-2896-BSide B matrix on label
47-2896 A 2S I A1C6Runout A
47-2896 B 2S I A1E4Runout B
47-2896-ALabel A
47-2896-BLabel B
47-2896-ALabel A
47-2896-BLabel B
20-3402-ALabel A
20-3402-BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-2896First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1949 | Canada | RCA Victor 20-3402First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | US | RCA Victor 47-2896First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1949 | US | RCA Victor 47-2896First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1949 | US | RCA Victor 20-3402First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | US | RCA Victor 20-3402First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice B.10149Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice B.10149Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | UK | His Master's Voice 7M 1107", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor 47-28967", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor 447-01097", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 447-01097", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Some Enchanted Evening / Bali Ha'i are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1949 and 1953.
The earliest pressings are from 1949, in US, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor 20-3402, released April 1949.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 20-3402, 47-2896) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 20-3402A 5S IV A[rotated 90*] 2 L[rotated 90*] and 20-3402B 6S IV A[rotated 90*] 2 L[rotated 90*]. 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.
