Vinyl pressings
by Duke Ellington And His Orchestra · 1955
Ellington Showcase was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 2 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.
T1-679-D3 [Anvil symbol]Runout A stamped - variant 1
T2-679-D1"2 [Anvil symbol]Runout B stamped - variant 1
- T1-679-D3 [Anvil symbol]Runout A stamped - variant 2
- T2-679-D1 [Anvil symbol]Runout B stamped - variant 2
T1-679A-side runout, stamped
T2-679B-side runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Argentina | Capitol Records T 679First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records T 679First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Capitol Records T 679 / Capitol Records T-679LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T 679LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records T 679LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records T 679LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | UK | World Record Club T 309LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-88063LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1975 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-88063LP, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Capitol Records T 679LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Venezuela | Capitol Records T 679LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Ellington Showcase are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1955 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Argentina. One of them is Capitol Records T 679.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 679) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1-679-D3 [Anvil symbol] and T2-679-D1"2 [Anvil symbol]. 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.
