Vinyl pressings
by Richard Rodgers · 1961
Victory At Sea was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
M2R Y 1290-9S I A3Side A runout, variant 1
M2R Y 1291-13S I A3Side B runout, variant 1
M2 RY1290-1S I B1Side A runout, variant 2
M2 RY1291-7S I J3Side B runout, variant 2
M2 RP1288-17S ɪ A1Run-out side A / stamped
M2 RP1289-11S A2 ɪRun-out side B / stamped
(M2RP-1288)Label matrix side A
(M2RP-1289)Label matrix side B
M2 RP1288-21S A1 RRun-out side A / stamped
M2 RP1289-16S A1 R RRun-out side B / stamped
(M2RP-1288)Label matrix side A
(M2RP-1289)Label matrix side B
M2RY-1290Etched on runout Side A
M2RY-1291Etched on runout Side B
(M2RY-1290)On label side A
(M2RY-1291)On label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2523First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2523First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2523First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor Red Seal SL16302LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2523LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2523LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Victory At Sea are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2523.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSC-2523, LM-2523, LM 2523, LSC 2523) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M2R Y 1290-9S I A3 and M2R Y 1291-13S I A3. 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.
