Vinyl pressings
by Sir Edward Elgar · 1977
Violin Concerto was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
ZAL-15299-2W U 2BRunout side A - machine stamped
ZAL-15300-1W I 1Runout side B - machine stamped
ZAL 15299Matrix on label - side A
ZAL 15300Matrix on label - side B
6.42309-01-1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant 1
6.42309-01-2Runout side B - machine stamped - variant 1
1-2 L2-C2 ZAL-15299-6Y A, SDLB 5049 D-Runout side A - machine stamped
1-4 ZAL-15300-2G D, SDLB 5050 D-Runout side B - machine stamped
ZAL 15299Matrix on label - side A
ZAL 15300Matrix on label - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.42309First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | London Records L25C-8038First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | UK | Decca SXL 6842First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Decca SXL 6842LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | London Records CS 7064 / London Records CS.7064LP | LP |
| 1979 | Japan | London Records SLA-1200LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | Decca SXL 6842LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | South Korea | Decca SXL 6842LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | Decca 428 177-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.42309 AWLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6842LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6842LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6842LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Violin Concerto are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Germany, Japan. One of them is Decca SXL 6842, released September 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6842, 6.42309, L25C-8038) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-15299-2W U 2B and ZAL-15300-1W I 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.
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