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Ralph Vaughan WilliamsA Sea Symphony / The Wasps - Aristophanic Suite

Vinyl pressings

A Sea Symphony / The Wasps - Aristophanic Suite

by Ralph Vaughan Williams · 1968

11 pressings5 countriesNeo-ClassicalOrchestraSuiteSymphony

A Sea Symphony was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of A Sea Symphony

2 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year. 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.

UK

1968
Label and catalog number
His Master's Voice SLS 780His Master's Voice ASD 2439/40
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

2YEA.3642Label - Side A

2YEA.3643Label - Side B

2YEA.3644Label - Side C

2YEA.3645Label - Side D

Full details of this pressing

UK

1968
Label and catalog number
His Master's Voice SLS 780His Master's Voice ASD 2439/40
Format
LP, Stereo, Box Set · Semi circle dog
Runout / matrix

2YEA 3642-1G G 1Side A stamped

2YEA 3643-2G G 1Side B stamped

2YEA 3644-2G R 1Side C stamped

2YEA 3645-1G G 1Side D stamped

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 11 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1960s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1968UKHis Master's Voice SLS 780 / His Master's Voice ASD 2439/40First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1968UKHis Master's Voice SLS 780 / His Master's Voice ASD 2439/40First yearLP, Stereo, Box SetLP, Stereo, Box Set
1969USAngel Records SB-3739LP, Stereo, Box Set, AlbumLP, Stereo, Box Set, Album
1970s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1970USAngel Records SB-3739LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, RepressLP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Repress
1975CanadaAngel Records SB-3739 / Angel Records S-36600/01LP, Album, Box SetLP, Album, Box Set
1975AustraliaWorld Record Club R-02418 / World Record Club R-02419LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition
1977AustraliaWorld Record Club R-02418 / World Record Club R-02419LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition
Year unknown4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?New ZealandWorld Record Club 1466LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?UKHis Master's Voice SLS 780 / His Master's Voice ASD 2439/40LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?USAngel Records SB-3739LP, Album, Box SetLP, Album, Box Set
?USAngel Records SB-3739LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, RepressLP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Repress

Tracklist

  1. A Sea Symphony
  2. The Wasps: Aristophanic Suite

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of A Sea Symphony are there?

11 vinyl pressings of A Sea Symphony are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1968 and 1977.

When was A Sea Symphony first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK. One of them is His Master's Voice SLS 780.

How do I tell if my copy of A Sea Symphony is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLS 780) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YEA.3642 and 2YEA.3643. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is A Sea Symphony on vinyl worth?

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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