Vinyl pressings
by William Byrd · 1963
Mass In Three Parts / Mass In Four Parts was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1963, 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.
ZRG-2517-2W U KT 1Runout side 1, stamped
ZRG-2518-2W C KT 1Runout side 2, stamped
ZRG 2517Matrix on label, side 1, upside down
ZRG 2518Matrix on label, side 2, upside down
ARG 2517Matrix on label, side 1
ARG 2518Matrix on label, side 2
ZRG 2517Label, side 1
ZRG 2518Label, side 2
ARG-2517-2KSide A Runout
ARG-2518-2KSide B Runout
ARG 2517Side A Label (Inverted)
ARG 2518Side B Label (Inverted)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | UK | Argo RG 362First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Argo ZRG 5362First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Argo RG 362First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | Argo ZRG 5362First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | London Records OS 25795LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | London Records 5795LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | Argo 411 723-1LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 5362LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo RG 362LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 5362LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 5362LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 5362LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Argo ZRG 5362LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Mass In Three Parts / Mass In Four Parts are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1963 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in UK. One of them is Argo ZRG 5362, released October 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZRG 5362, RG 362) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZRG-2517-2W U KT 1 and ZRG-2518-2W C KT 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.
