Vinyl pressings
by Sadler's Wells Opera Company · 1958
The Merry Widow was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. 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 1958, 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.
2XEA 1577-1N GP 12Stamped runout, side A (variant 1)
2XEA 1578-2N GT 1Stamped runout, side B (variant 1)
2XEA 1577-1N GD 12Stamped runout, side A (variant 2)
2XEA 1578-2N GP 1Stamped runout, side B (variant 2)
2 XEA 1577 - 1NSide A stamped
2 XEA 1578 - 2NSide B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | India | His Master's Voice CLP 1226 / His Master's Voice CLP. 1226First yearLP | LP |
| 1958 | New Zealand | His Master's Voice MCLP 1226 / His Master's Voice MCLP.1226First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1226First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Australia | His Master's Voice OCLP 1226LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1259 / His Master's Voice CSD. 1259LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Canada | Angel Records 35816LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Angel Records 35816LP | LP |
| 1962 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1226 / His Master's Voice CLP. 1226LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice OCSD 1259LP | LP |
| ? | New Zealand | His Master's Voice MCLP 1226LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1259 / His Master's Voice CSD. 1259LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Classics For Pleasure CFP 4144851 / Classics For Pleasure CFP 41 4485 1LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1259 / His Master's Voice CSD. 1259LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1259LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1226 / His Master's Voice CLP. 1226LP, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Angel Records S 35816LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of The Merry Widow are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1958 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in UK, India, New Zealand. One of them is His Master's Voice CLP 1226.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CLP 1226, MCLP 1226) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2XEA 1577-1N GP 12 and 2XEA 1578-2N GT 1. 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.
