Vinyl pressings
by Renata Scotto · 1981
Tosca was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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.
03955-T-A-02 2 DEA-7286A-side runout, etched
03955-T-B-03 2 DEA-7287B-side runout, etched
03956-T-A-01 2 DEA-7288C-side runout, etched
03956-T-B-02 2 DEA-7289D-side runout, etched
03955-T-A-02 2 DEA-7286Side A runout
03955-T-B-03 2 DEA-7287Side B runout
03956-T-A-01 2 DEA-7288Side C runout
03956-T-B-02 2 DEA-7289 1Side D runout
DS-1-37796 G1+ x538 gene MASTERED BY CAPITOL [W over M]38783-A #4Runout side A
DS-2-37796-G1+ y538 gene MASTERED BY CAPITOL [W over M]38783-B #3Runout side B
DS-1[2]-37797- G7+ [W over M]38784-A gene MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side C
DS-2 37797-G7+ [W over M]38784-B gene MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side D
3955 DA 2 M6 336910 4Side A
3955 DB 4 M6 337170 4Side B
3956 DA 2 M6 336913 4Side C
3956 DB 3 M6 337022 4Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Austria | His Master's Voice 1C 165-03 955/56 T / His Master's Voice 29 251Box Set, Club Edition, LP, Stereo · Club edition | Box Set, Club Edition, LP, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Europe | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 165-03 955/56 T / His Master's Voice 1C 165-03 955/56 TFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1981 | Europe | His Master's Voice Digital 1C 165-03 955/56 T / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 40008 5LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | France | La Voix De Son Maître Digital 2 C-167-03 955/6 / La Voix De Son Maître 2 C-167-03 955/6First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | His Master's Voice 40008 5 / His Master's Voice Digital 40008 5LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1981 | UK | His Master's Voice SLS 5213 / His Master's Voice 165-03 955/6T OCFirst yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1981 | US | Angel Records DSBX-3919First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | His Master's Voice 1C 165-03 955/56 T / His Master's Voice Digital 1C 165-03 955/56 TLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 10C 167-003955/6 TLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Classics For Pleasure CFPD 4715LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Tosca are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, US, France. One of them is Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 165-03 955/56 T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 165-03 955/56 T, SLS 5213, DSBX-3919, 2 C-167-03 955/6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 03955-T-A-02 2 DEA-7286 and 03955-T-B-03 2 DEA-7287. 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.
