Vinyl pressings
by Sidney Bechet · 1955
Giant Of Jazz (Volume 1) was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. 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 1955, 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.
RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203-A 9MRunout side A etched
RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203 B. 9MRunout side B etched
BN 1203-ALabel side A
BN 1203-BLabel side B
RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203-A 9MRunout side A etched
RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203 B. 9MRunout side B etched
BN 1203-ALabel side A
BN 1203-BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | US | Blue Note 1203 / Blue Note BLP 1203First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Blue Note 1203 / Blue Note BLP 1203First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Blue Note 1203 / Blue Note BLP 1203LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| 1959 | US | Blue Note BLP 1203LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | US | Blue Note BLP 1203 / Blue Note BLUE NOTE 1203LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Blue Note BLP 1203 / Blue Note 1203LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Blue Note BST 81203LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Blue Note BLP 1203LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | France | Blue Note BLP 1203LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1983 | France | Blue Note BLP 1203LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Mono · Test pressing, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Blue Note BST 81203 / Blue Note BST 81 203 KLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 81203LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 1203LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 81203LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Giant Of Jazz (Volume 1) are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1955 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US. One of them is Blue Note 1203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1203) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203-A 9M and RVG (the Plastylite "ear") BN-LP-1203 B. 9M. 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.
