Vinyl pressings
by The Tokens · 1961
The Lion Sleeps Tonight 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.
10 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 5 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.
M5 PP3297--2S A1 R RSide A, Runout, Stamped (Variant 1)
M5 PP3298-2S A1 R RSide B, Runout, Stamped (Variant 1)
M5 PP3297-1S A1 R RSide A, Runout, Stamped (Variant 2)
M5 PP3298-1S A1 R RSide B, Runout, Stamped (Variant 2)
M5 PP3297-6S HSide A, stamped
M5 PP3298-6S HSide B, stamped
M2PP-3297Label Side A
M2PP-3298Label Side B
M5 PP3297-3S A1 ISide A stamped
M5 PP3298-3S A1 ISide B stamped
M5 PY3299-5S HSide A stamped
M5 PY3300-5S HSide B Stamped
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 | Australia | RCA L101238First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-2514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | Canada | RCA Victor LPM-2514First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | New Zealand | RCA RPL 3278First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | South Africa | RCA 31.592First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2514 / RCA Victor LPM 2514First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2514First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LPM-2514 / RCA Victor LPM 2514First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | RCA Victor LSP-2514First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | Italy | RCA Victor LPM-2514 / RCA Victor LPM 2514LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Italy | RCA Victor LSP-2514 / RCA Victor LSP 2514LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1962 | Italy | RCA Victor LPM-2514 / RCA Victor LPM 2514LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1962 | Japan | Victor RA-5143LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | RCA SF 5128LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Camden ACL1-0802LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Lion Sleeps Tonight are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1961 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor LPM-2514.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPM-2514, LSP-2514, L101238, RPL 3278) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M5 PP3297--2S A1 R R and M5 PP3298-2S A1 R R. 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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