Vinyl pressings
by Richard Strauss · 1954
Ein Heldenleben was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1954, 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.
E4RP-8125-1S ✳ I 11side A runout stamped
E4RP8124 2S ✳ I ΛIside B runout stamped
E4RP 8124 2s, A1, ISide A
E4RP-8125-1s, A2, ISide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Europe | RCA Red Seal L 16478First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal ERD 1807 / RCA Victor Red Seal ERD-1807First year7", 45 RPM, Album, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Album, EP, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | His Master's Voice ALP 1209LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Italy | RCA Italiana A12R 0118LP | LP |
| 1958 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | RCA Victrola VIC-1042 / RCA Victrola VIC 1042LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | RCA Victrola VICS-1042 / RCA Victrola VICS 1042LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1965 | UK | RCA Victrola VIC 1042LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1042 / RCA Victrola VICS.1042LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Victrola Camden Classics VCCS-1042LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1042 / RCA Victrola VICS.1042LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Japan | RCA RGC-1070LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1042LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | RCA Red Seal ARP1-4442LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 1981 | US | RCA ATL1-4100LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victrola VICS-1042 / RCA Victrola VICS 1042LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | France | RCA 741 035LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | RCA GL 4292LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1042 / RCA Victrola VICS-1042LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1042LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victrola VICS-1042 / RCA Victrola VICS 1042LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
| ? | US | Classic Records LSC-1807 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-1807LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | RCA Victrola VICS-1042LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Ein Heldenleben are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1954 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in US, Europe. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LM-1807, released August 20, 1954.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LM-1807, ERD 1807, L 16478) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, E4RP-8125-1S ✳ I 11 and E4RP8124 2S ✳ I ΛI. 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.
