Vinyl pressings
by Ralph Kirkpatrick · 1966
Purcell • Couperin • Rameau • Händel •… was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. 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 1966, 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.
139122-2 A MADE IN GERMANY M5 BA ◇WSide A runout, variant 1
139122-2 B MADE IN GERMANY 1 M5 BA ◇WSide B runout, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | France | Deutsche Grammophon 139 122First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 / Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 SLPMFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 39 122First yearLP | LP |
| 1966 | Germany | Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 / Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 SLPMFirst yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-76LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия 33 Д 034375-6LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1984 | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Heliodor MH 5075LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 SLPM / Deutsche Grammophon 139122LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Deutsche Grammophon 139 122 / Deutsche Grammophon 139122LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-76LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д-034375 / Мелодия Д-034376LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия Д 034375-6LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
17 vinyl pressings of Purcell • Couperin • Rameau • Händel •… are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1966 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in Germany, France. One of them is Deutsche Grammophon 139 122.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 139 122, 39 122) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 139122-2 A MADE IN GERMANY M5 BA ◇W and 139122-2 B MADE IN GERMANY 1 M5 BA ◇W. 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.
