Vinyl pressings
by Renata Tebaldi · 1957
La Bohème was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1957, 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.
EFF-1205-1A B1 OLSide A, runout, stamped
EFF-1206-1A C A 1 2 G BUSide B, runout, stamped
EFF.1205Side A, label
EFF.1206Side B, label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | UK | Decca CEP 512 / Decca CEP.512First year7", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Spain | Discos Decca SDGE 801077", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Spain | Decca SDGE 80107 / Discos Decca SDGE 801077", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | UK | Decca CEP 5127", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Decca VD 5547", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca CEP 5127", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca CEPM 5127", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Spain | Discos Decca SDGE 80107 / Decca SDGE 801077", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca CEP 5127", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Decca CEP 5127", EP, 45 RPM | 7", EP, 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of La Bohème are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1957 and 1961.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in UK. One of them is Decca CEP 512, released October 1957.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CEP 512) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EFF-1205-1A B1 OL and EFF-1206-1A C A 1 2 G BU. 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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