RCA Records Pressing Plant, Indianapolis

Opened on August 5, 1939, this was the largest of RCA Victor's record U.S. manufacturing plants, pressing vinyl records and capacitance electronic disc (CED) products. Production of CED VideoDiscs ceased June 27, 1986, vinyl production was phased out by the end of 1987, and the plant closed in January 1988. Identification: Serifed capital "Ⅰ" stamp in runouts. 2.75" (70mm) "deep groove" pressing ring through 1968; 1" (26mm) ring 1968–1987. The letter "R" appearing on A&M Records releases, or the plant code "70" printed on PolyGram releases during the 1970s & 1980s, identifies RCA Indianapolis as the pressing plant. Note: After this plant's closure, some titles pressed in Indianapolis had stampers shipped elsewhere for repressing; these can be identified by the struck-through "I" stamp which can look like a "+" sign. Use the "Mastered At" LCCN role in these cases. General RCA Mastering Information: An extensive and detailed explanation of the master serial numbers used in RCA’s matrices is has been created by a member. That bible is linked below in the URLs, and should be consulted to correctly decipher the information. Following is a synopsis. Beginning in 1942, RCA pressings from all plants have four informational characters in the primary runouts. The system has been revised several times, but each of the first four characters stands for a different piece of information. From 1942-1954: First Character is the decade; Second Character is the year; Third Character is the category; Fourth Character is the size/speed/groove. Example: A2BB = 1902, Bluebird, 10” - 78 RPM. From 1955-1962: First Character is the year code; Second Character is the numerical label description; Third Character is the category; Fourth Character is the size/speed/groove. Example: F2CA = 1955, RCA Victor, Children's, 7” - 45 RPM. From 1963-1990's: First Character is the year code; Second Character is the label designation; Third Character is the size/speed; Fourth Character is the groove. Example: RPRS = 1964, Popular, 12" 33⅓ RPM, Stereo. To identify 78RPM records that were pressed at the Indianapolis facility between Fall 1937 and early 1954, note the following label details: Victor and Bluebird labels citing "RCA Manufacturing Co., Inc" at bottom: Two concentric label arcs of unequal length = Indianapolis pressing; Victor, RCA Victor and Bluebird labels citing "RCA Victor Division of Radio Corporation of America" at bottom: Two concentric circles nearly touching the small RCA circle = Indianapolis pressing