Vinyl pressings
by Ella Fitzgerald · 1968
30 By Ella 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.
6 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.
ST-1-2960-H-3· 3 ✲Side A runout, variant 1
ST-2-2960-H-3· 2 ✲Side B runout, variant 1
ST-1- 2960-H-3 1 ✲Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2 - 2960-H-3 1 ✲Side B runout, variant 2
ST1-2960-W2 #2 [I A M in triangle]Side A runout, variant 1
ST2-2960-W2 #2 [I A M in triangle]Side B runout, variant 1
ST1-2960-W2 #2 [I A M in triangle]Side A runout, variant 2
ST2-2960-X3 #2 [I A M in triangle]Side B runout, variant 2
ST-1-2960 w4Side A Etched
ST-2-2960 w4Side B Etched
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 ST 2960 / Capitol Records ST-2960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | France | Capitol Records STTX 340.776First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 2960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST 2960First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST 2960 / Capitol Records ST-2960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST 2960 / Capitol Records ST-2960First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1969 | Brazil | Capitol Records T-2960LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Italy | Capitol Records ST 2960LP | LP |
| 1969 | Uruguay | Capitol Records ST 50509 / Capitol Records ST 2960LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Spain | Capitol Records 1J 054-80.670LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Australia | World Record Club S/4889 / World Record Club S-4889LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1972 | New Zealand | World Record Club SLZ 8350LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1974 | Greece | Capitol Records SW 13022LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Greece | Capitol Records SW 13022LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Fabbri Editori GdJ 26LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Italy | Fabbri Editori GdJ 26LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Capitol Records SW 13022LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 054-80276LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Turkey | Capitol Records ST-2960LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16276LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of 30 By Ella are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1968 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Canada, France, New Zealand and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST 2960, released September 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 2960, STTX 340.776) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-2960-H-3· 3 ✲ and ST-2-2960-H-3· 2 ✲. 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.
