Vinyl pressings
by Al Martino · 1968
The Best Of Al Martino was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 5 countries. 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.
SKAO 1 2946 W2 #3 OSide A runout - etched
SKAO 2 2946 H4 #2 OSide B runout - etched
SKAO-1-2946-W3Side A runout, etched
SKAO 2-2946 A1Side B runout, etched
IAM [in triangle]Sides A and B runout, stamped
SKAO-1-2946-H-8 *Side A
SKAO-1-2946 W5Side A
SKAO-2-2946 W4Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO-2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO-2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Denmark | Capitol Records 6E 054 80060First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1022First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1022LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1022First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST 2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2946 / Starline SKAO 2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2946 / Starline SKAO 2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2946 / Starline SKAO 2946First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1969 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-20723 / Capitol Records ST 20723LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | Spain | Capitol Records ST-2946LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | UK | Capitol Records ST 21363 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ◦ 80228LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1977 | South Korea | Capitol Records OLE-127LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Canada | Capitol Records SN 16074LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Capitol Records SN 16074LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST-20723LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST-20723LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Belgium | Capitol Records 4C 034-80060LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SM-2946LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records 6E 054-80060 / Capitol Records 5C 054.80060LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 048-80 060LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 048-80 060LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 048-80 060LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1022LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 21363 / Capitol Records 1E 062 ◦ 80228LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2946LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2946LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2946LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
29 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Al Martino are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1968 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, Denmark, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records SKAO 2946.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKAO 2946, SKAO-2946, 6E 054 80060, SMK 1022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SKAO 1 2946 W2 #3 O and SKAO 2 2946 H4 #2 O. 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.
