This is the stereo release of Elvis’ first album, LPM-1254, released in 1956. The stereo release issues began in 1962 and with six major release dates depicting the recent RCA changes in label variations. There are at least that many cover variations. Tack on whether or not a sticker exists, and which inner sleeve could have accompanied the disc, then there are many cover, inner sleeve, record, and sticker combinations. This guide is focused on identifying the variation as it exists, not possible combinations. There is far more to Elvis collecting than originally thought.
Mfg: RCA Victor Records
Catalog: LSP-1254(e)
Title: Elvis Presley
Artist: Elvis Presley
Release: 1962-1971
COVER
Front: RCA Victor logo with Stereo Electronically Reprocessed at upper right and number at upper left. In 1968, covers may or may not have a red STEREO EFFECT REPROCESSED FROM MONOPHONIC sticker affixed to the cover or in rare cases to the shrink wrap.
While the front cover did not change throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the back had quite a few design changes.
Back: Four black-and-white Elvis photos. Has box of text at upper left From the Originators of Electronically Reprocessed Stereo, and box of text at lower right with an Important note about playing mono and stereo records, and Miracle Surface pitch. This description is true for the first no number (nn) release, the 2 and 4 release. The back was reworked for the SER 2 release where the upper left box is now top center. Stereo Effect Reprocessed form Monophonic is added to the upper right hand corner.
These are closeup shots of the placement of the revision numbers on the back cover. Among the differences between the back covers are the copyright notices.
Here is a chart of those notices and their differences.
| Release | Copyright Info |
|---|---|
| nn | (c) by Radio Corporation of America, 1956 |
| 2 | (c) by Radio Corporation of America, 1956 |
| 4 | (c) 1956, RCA, New York, N.Y., · Printed in U.S.A. |
| ser 2 | (c) 1956, RCA Records, New York, N.Y., · Printed in U.S.A. |
DISC
1962 – Stereo. Black label, all print on label is silver.
1964 – Black label, RCA logo is white, other label print is silver.
1968 – Orange label. Rigid vinyl.
1971 – Orange label. Flexible vinyl.
INNER SLEEVE
Although other sleeves may have accompanied each release throughout the years, here is a list of inner sleeves best associated with the original release. RCA didn’t start to number the Elvis inner sleeve until 1964. A separate article with images of the sleeves is available, here.
nno – Stereo. Black label, all print on label is silver.
21-112-1 40A – Black label, RCA logo is white, other label print is silver.
21-112-1 40D – Orange label. Rigid vinyl.
21-112-1 pt 5xx – Orange label. Flexible vinyl.
Catalog: LSP-1254(e)
Release: 1971-1977
COVER
Front: RCA logo and catalog number at upper left with Stereo Effect Reprocessed form Monophonic at upper right. SER in lower left corner. Back: Four black-and-white Elvis photos. A note about RCA Stero Records in box at top center. Stereo Effect Reprocessed form Monophonic in the upper right hand corner.
DISC
1976 – Tan label.
1977 – Black labl, dog near top.
INNER SLEEVE
These releases may be accompanied by any number of different RCA sleeves.
DISCLAIMER
This article is a living document. Although this discography covers only those Elvis releases between 1955-1977, there are variations and discoveries made nearly every day. It is the goal of this site to preserve that information. The information provided has been compiled through years of research, books by Paul Lichter and Jerry Osborne, auctions, internet auctions, my personal collection, and various images collected throughout the years.
The majority of the images are from my personal collection. It will be a costly endeavor to purchase all variations and document them. In some cases, images are mock ups to fill in the blanks or because I am too lazy to scan in another nearly identical record. As an example, in this case, applying the sticker to the cover. If there is something that you know to exist or can provide a clear image like those used throughout this article, please contact me. The image sizes desired will fit within 600×600 pixels. I will reference you. What is written here is not complete or final.