Vinyl pressings
by The Robert Shaw Chorale · 1961
Operatic Choruses was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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 1961, the album's first year, in 6 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.
K2RY-4207Matrix Side 1
K2RY-4208Matrix Side 2
K2RY 4207 12S I A1Runout stamped Side 1 Variant 1
[X out'K']K2RY 4208 12S A2 IRunout stamped Side 2 Variant 1
K2RP-4205Label, Side A
K2RP-4206Label, Side B
K2 RP4205-4Sstamped
K2 RP4205-4Sstamped
K2RY 4207 12SSide 1
XK2RY 4208 12SSide 2
LP-K2BP-4205-X Manufactured in GermanyLabel, Side A
LP-K2BP-4206-X Manufactured in GermanyLabel, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | RCA LM-2416 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2416First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Colombia | RCA Victor Red Seal LMSC-16 / RCA Victor Red Seal LMSC 16First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | Germany | RCA LSC-2416-BFirst yearLP | LP |
| 1961 | Germany | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2416-C / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2416-CFirst yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Japan | Victor RA 2007First yearLP, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | New Zealand | RCA Victor Red Seal RSL 3623First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LM-2416 / RCA Victor Red Seal LM 2416First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2416 / RCA Victor Red Seal LSC 2416First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1175LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Germany | RCA Victrola VIC 1175 / RCA Victrola VIC-1175LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LPRC-V-247 / RCA Victor LPRC-V-247LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victrola VICS 1175LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Rca Victor Sello Rojo LSC-2416LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | France | RCA Victrola AVL 1 O821LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1175 / RCA Victrola 26.41176LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1175LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1175 / RCA Victrola 26.41176LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola VICS 1175LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2416LP | LP |
| ? | US | RCA Victor RST 11LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 30,141LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Operatic Choruses are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1961 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Canada, Colombia, Germany and more. One of them is RCA Victor Red Seal LSC-2416, released March 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSC-2416, LM-2416, LMSC-16, LSC-2416-B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K2RY-4207 and K2RY-4208. 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.
