Vinyl pressings
by Sadler's Wells Theatre · 1960
Madam Butterfly was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
2YEA 396-4Side A Runout (Stamped)
2YEA 397-2Side B Runout (Stamped)
2YEA 396-6Side A Runout (Stamped) - Variant 1
2YEA 397-4Side B Runout (Stamped) - Variant 1
2XEA 1838 - 2NSide 1
2XEA 1839 - 2NSide 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1290 / His Master's Voice CSD. 1290First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1334First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | His Master's Voice CSD 1290 / His Master's Voice CSD. 1290LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | His Master's Voice CLP 1334LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Angel Records S 35902 / Angel Records S.35902LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | UK | His Master's Voice ESD 7030 / His Master's Voice OC 053-06 289LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice SOELP-9052 / His Master's Voice SOELP 9052LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice OELP-9052LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | His Master's Voice SOELP-9052 / His Master's Voice SOELP 9052LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 6036LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice ESD 7030LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Angel Records S 35902 / Angel Records S.35902LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records 35902LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Madam Butterfly are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1960 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in UK. One of them is His Master's Voice CSD 1290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CSD 1290, CLP 1334) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2YEA 396-4 and 2YEA 397-2. 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.
