Vinyl pressings
by Richard Wagner · 1962
Die Walküre was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 1962, the album's first year, in 3 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.
N2 RY2677-1S A1 IRunout side A
N2 RY2678-1S B1 IRunout side B
N2 RY2679-3S A1 IRunout side C
N2 RY2680-1S A1 IRunout side D
N2 RP2667-1S B2 IXSide A Runout
N2 RP2668-1S XI A2Side B Runout
N2 RP2669-1S XI A1Side C Runout
N2 RP2670-2S A4 IXSide D Runout
N2RY 2677 R4 ◊Runout side A
N2RY 2686 D2 △△1Runout side J
N2RY 2678 D3 △△1Runout side B
N2RY 2685 R4 △△1Runout side I
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | France | RCA Victor 630.728/32First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | France | RCA Victor 640.728/32 / RCA 640.728/32First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1962 | UK | RCA Victor Red Seal LDS-6706. 1-5First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor LD-6706First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor LDS-6706 / RCA Victor Red Seal LDS-6706First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | UK | Decca 7BB 125-9LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca SLA 25117 D/1-5LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1974 | US | London Records OSA 1511LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Red Seal LSE 16363LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | France | Decca 115.334/38LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal LSC 6706-B/1-5 / RCA Red Seal LSC 6706-1-BLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Red Seal LM 6706-C/1-5LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
12 vinyl pressings of Die Walküre are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1962 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, France. One of them is RCA Victor LDS-6706, released September 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LDS-6706, LD-6706, LDS-6706. 1-5, 630.728/32) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N2 RY2677-1S A1 I and N2 RY2678-1S B1 I. 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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