Vinyl pressings
by Stephen Sondheim · 1973
A Little Night Music was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
MAL 32265-1Aside A runout stamped
o MBL32265-1G Aside B runout stamped [except A]
MAL-32265-1J[Variant 1] side A runout stamped
MAL-32255-1A[Variant 1] side B runout stamped
QAL 32265Side 1 Label
QBL 32265Side 2 Label
Q AL-32265-2CSide 1 Runout [Stamped]
Q BL-32265-2DSide 2 Runout [Stamped]
MSides 1 & 2 Runout [Etched]
QAL 32265Side 1 Label
MQAL 32265-2AG IT ◦ /ASide A Runout
◦ M Q BL 32265-2L TI -ASide B Runout
QAL 32265Side A Label
QBL 32265Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | CBS SBP 234369 / CBS KS 32265First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Embassy S EMB 31153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | CBS 31515 / CBS S 31515First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks KS 32265First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Columbia JS 32265First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks JS 32265 / Columbia JS 32265First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks KS 32265First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1973 | US | Columbia Masterworks SQ 32265First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Columbia Masterworks JS 32265 / CBS Masterworks JS 32265LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Reissue, Quadraphonic |
| 1987 | Australia | CBS BW 2LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks KS 32265 / CBS Masterworks KS 32265LP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
11 vinyl pressings of A Little Night Music are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia. One of them is Columbia Masterworks KS 32265.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KS 32265, JS 32265, SQ 32265, S EMB 31153) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MAL 32265-1A and o MBL32265-1G A. 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.
