Vinyl pressings
by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky · 1959
The Nutcracker 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.
9 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ZAL-4221-1E BN RT 2 BRunout side A - stamped
ZAL-4222-1E BI RT 2 BRunout side B - stamped
ZAL-4223-1E BU RT 1Runout side C - stamped
ZAL-4224-1E CM RT 1Runout side D - stamped
ZAL-4221-1ERunout side A - stamped
ZAL-4222-1ERunout side B - stamped
ZAL-4223-1ERunout side C - stamped
ZAL-4224-1ERunout side D - stamped
ZAL-4221-1ERunout side A - stamped
ZAL-4222-1ERunout side B - stamped
ZAL-4223-1ERunout side C - stamped
ZAL-4224-1ERunout side D - stamped
ARL--4221--1S I JJSide A runout
ARL--4222-1S I A5Side B runout
ARL--4223--1S I A2Side C runout
ARL--4224--1S A2Side D runout
CA ZAL-4221-1ERunout side A - stamped
CA ZAL-4222-1E 011Runout side B - stamped
CA ZAL-4223-1E 01Runout side C - stamped
CA ZAL-4224 - 1ERunout side D - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | London Records CSA 2203First yearLP | LP |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Decca LXTM.5493-4First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Spain | Decca SXL 2092-3First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1959 | UK | Decca LXT 5493-4First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | London Records CMA 7202First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1959 | US | London Records CSA2203First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1959 | New Zealand | Decca SXLM.2092-3First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1959 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | London Records CMA 7202LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1968 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3 / Decca SXL 2092/3LP, Repress, Box Set, Stereo | LP, Repress, Box Set, Stereo |
| 1972 | Japan | London Records SL 5031/2LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 379LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Ace Of Diamonds SDD 378LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca 6.35128 DX / Decca DK 11506/1-2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca DK 11506/1-2LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca DK 11506/1-2LP, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo, Box Set · Unofficial | LP, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo, Box Set · Unofficial |
| 1977 | Italy | Decca DPAI 569-70LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | Spain | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | UK | Decca DPA 569-70LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1977 | UK | Decca DPA 569-70LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | London Records STS 15433-4LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Germany | Decca SXL 2092-3 / Decca 009 2092-3LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca SXL 2092-3*LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXLA 2092-3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Australia | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | France | Decca 593 020LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca LXT 5493-4 / Disques Decca LXT 5.493LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35128 DX / Decca DK 11506/1-2LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 2092-3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | London Records CSA 2203LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records STS15433-4LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CSA 2203 / London Records CSA-2203LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | London Records CSA 2203 / London Records CSA-2203LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records CSA 2203 / London Records CSA-2203LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
39 vinyl pressings of The Nutcracker are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1959 and 1995.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, US, New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Decca SXL 2092-3, released September 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 2092-3, LXT 5493-4, CSA2203, CMA 7202) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-4221-1E BN RT 2 B and ZAL-4222-1E BI RT 2 B. 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.
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1958 · 122 pressings
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