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Various ArtistsThe Belgian Congo Records

Vinyl pressings

The Belgian Congo Records

by Various Artists · 1937

12 pressings3 countriesAfricanField RecordingFolkWorld

The Belgian Congo Records was first pressed on vinyl in 1937. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of The Belgian Congo Records

2 pressings came out in 1937, 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.

US

1937
Label and catalog number
Reeves Sound Studios
Format
Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album
Runout / matrix

R 941 941Side A runout etched & stamped

R 940 940Side B runout etched & stamped

978Side C runout stamped

979Side D runout stamped

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 12 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1930s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1937USReeves Sound StudiosFirst yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, AlbumShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album
1937USReeves Sound StudiosFirst yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, AlbumShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album
1938USReeves Sound StudiosShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, ReissueShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue
1950s1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1950USCommodore DL 30,005LP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
1960s3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1964USMainstream Records 56021LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1964USMainstream Records S/6021LP, StereoLP, Stereo
1968JapanMainstream Records XM-20-MSDLP, AlbumLP, Album
1970s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1977JapanLondon Records GXH-1043LP, AlbumLP, Album
1977JapanLondon Records GXH-1043LP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
Year unknown3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?ArgentinaDial DPE-10042 / Mainstream Records DPE-10042LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?USGeneral G-10 / General Records Co. G-10Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, ReissueShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue
?USArmand Denis Productions, Inc.10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue

Tracklist

  1. AManbetu Songs
  2. BBabira Songs
  3. C1Bapere Dance
  4. C2Chief Karumi's Dance
  5. DXylophone
  6. EMambuti Pigmy Music
  7. FBatwa Pigmy Dances
  8. GRoyal Watusi Drums Part 1
  9. HRoyal Watusi Drums Part 2
  10. IRoyal Watusi Drums Part 3
  11. JBahutu Chant And Dances
  12. KBabira Circumcision Ritual
  13. LBapere Circumcision Ritual

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Belgian Congo Records are there?

12 vinyl pressings of The Belgian Congo Records are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1937 and 1977.

When was The Belgian Congo Records first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1937, in US. One of them is Reeves Sound Studios.

How do I tell if my copy of The Belgian Congo Records is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 941 941 and R 940 940. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Belgian Congo Records on vinyl worth?

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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