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Data as of Oct 20, 2026
Sir Thomas Beecham – Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life)
1961 · US · Capitol Records · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Oct 19, 2026
- MMint
- $9.68
- NMNear Mint
- $8.66
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $6.62
- VGVery Good
- $4.58
- G+Good Plus
- $2.55
- GGood
- $1.53
- FFair
- $1.02
- PPoor
- $0.51
6 copies listed on Discogs from $0.89.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $4ref VA-9XQHBMedia VG · Very Good🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- & SGX1-7250-D2 ⌂
- Runout — side B
- & SGX-2-7250-D1 ⌂
- Pressing Plant ID
- Anvil-type symbol ⌂(Stamped in runouts at 3:00)
- Manufactured By
- Capitol Records, Inc.
- Mastered At
- Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
- Pressed By
- Capitol Records Pressing Plant, Scranton
Specifications
- Artist
- Sir Thomas Beecham
- Genre
- Classical
- Style
- Romantic
- Year
- 1961
- Label
- Capitol Records
- Catalog number
- SG 7250
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life)
- Composed By
- Richard Strauss
- Conductor
- Sir Thomas Beecham
About this record
Beecham's 1961 Capitol stereo recording of Strauss's Ein Heldenleben survives in modest supply: only 6 copies currently listed across the market. The runout matrices SGX1-7250-D2 and SGX-2-7250-D1 identify this as a Capitol Records pressing, likely from the Scranton plant, and the steep price gradient from Mint (9.68 USD) down to Poor (0.51 USD) reflects how fragile classical pressings of this era can be.
What drives its value
This Capitol pressing trades on condition almost entirely. A Mint copy commands 9.68 USD, while a VG+ example drops to 6.62 USD—a meaningful loss for a record that, in Poor grade, fetches only 0.51 USD.
The lowest asking price across all 6 active listings stands at 0.89 USD, indicating that heavily played or damaged copies circulate at near-giveaway rates. Community demand is modest: 14 collectors own it against 3 actively seeking one, suggesting this is a specialist's find rather than a hot title.
As a US Capitol pressing from 1961, it sits outside the original London or European releases that command stronger collector interest, making its value almost entirely dependent on finding a buyer willing to pay for sonic fidelity rather than rarity.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the Capitol catalogue number SG 7250 on the spine and label. The dead-wax runouts should read either SGX1-7250-D2 or SGX-2-7250-D1, both stamped with the Capitol Records, Inc. or Scranton plant mark.
The stereo designation and 1961 date appear on the label. To grade accurately, listen for surface noise in the quietest passages—Strauss's orchestration leaves long, exposed silences where pressing defects become audible.
Check the groove walls under magnification for hairline scratches that degrade from VG+ to VG. Warp is common in classical LPs of this vintage; even minor dish-warp can shift a Mint candidate into NM.
Play-wear on the opening and closing grooves is the fastest indicator of heavy use; a VG copy will show light wear across both sides, while VG+ should display only minimal contact marks under raking light.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Frequently asked
What is a fair price for a VG+ copy?
According to the price guide, VG+ copies are valued at 6.62 USD. This represents a collector's estimate as of the guide's last update; actual sales may vary, but this figure reflects the typical asking range for well-played but not damaged examples.
How much does condition matter on this record?
Dramatically. A Mint copy is priced at 9.68 USD, but drop to VG grade and it falls to 4.58 USD—a loss of more than half its value. Poor copies trade for 0.51 USD. On a classical recording where quiet passages expose every surface imperfection, condition is the entire market.
Is this a rare pressing?
No. Only 6 copies are currently for sale, but that reflects typical stock depth for a 1961 classical LP, not scarcity. The community data shows 14 collectors own one against 3 seeking it, indicating steady but unspectacular demand. This is a common pressing in the Capitol catalogue.
How do I verify which Capitol plant pressed my copy?
Read the dead-wax runout stamped into the vinyl at the end of each side. This pressing carries either SGX1-7250-D2 or SGX-2-7250-D1, both attributable to Capitol Records, Inc. or the Scranton pressing plant. The plant mark should appear as a small symbol or abbreviation near the matrix code.
What is the lowest price I should expect to see?
The current market floor is 0.89 USD, the lowest asking price among active listings. However, the price guide values Poor-grade copies at 0.51 USD, suggesting that heavily damaged or unplayable examples may sell for even less or be listed as filler lots.