Vinyl pressings
by Samuel Goldwyn · 1960
Porgy And Bess 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, 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.
6D AA 429641 ▽ 1E = 2 // 670 141A side runout, variant 1
6D AA 429641 ▽ 2E = 1 // 670 138B side runout, variant 1
6D AA 429641 ▽ 1E = 2 // 670 113A side runout, variant 2
6D AA 429641 ▽ 2E = 1 // 670 135B side runout, variant 2
AA 760 304.1 V
AA 760 304.2 V
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 | Germany | Philips 760 304 BVFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Philips 429 641 BE / Philips 429 641First year7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono | 7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Philips 429 641 BE7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Philips 429 641 BE7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 429 641 BE / Philips 429 6417", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono | 7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS CG 285.518 / CBS EP 5.5187", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 429 641 BE7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono | 7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS CG 285.5187", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Netherlands | Philips 760304 BV7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | Netherlands | CBS EP 5.5187", EP | 7", EP |
| ? | Norway | Philips 429 641 BE7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono | 7", Mono, 45 RPM, EP · Mono |
| ? | Sweden | Philips 429 641 BE7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
12 vinyl pressings of Porgy And Bess are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in Netherlands, Germany. One of them is Philips 429 641 BE.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 429 641 BE, 760 304 BV) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6D AA 429641 ▽ 1E = 2 // 670 141 and 6D AA 429641 ▽ 2E = 1 // 670 138. 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.
