Vinyl pressings
by Ella Mae Morse · 1952
The Blacksmith Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1952. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1952, the album's first year, in 9 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.
9371 - N2 2 2-52Side A, runout variant 1
11 9372 - D2 2-52Side B, runout variant 1
9371-N2 2 [Anvil symbol] 3-52 14Side A, runout variant 2
9372-N2 2 [Anvil symbol] 3-52 7Side B, runout variant 2
9371 - N2 2 2-52(var. 1) Side A, Runout
11 9372 - D2 2-52(var. 1) Side B, Runout
9371-D6 1 ✰ 2(var. 2) Side A stamped
9372-D1 2 ✰ 3(var. 2) Side B stamped
6 45-9372-N4 [lathe] 3-52A-Side Runout Etching
10 45-9371-N3 [lathe] 3-52B-Side Runout Etching
45-9372Side A Label
45-9371Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Canada | Capitol Records C-893First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Canada | Capitol Records F-893First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1952 | Denmark | Capitol Records C 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Germany | Capitol Records C 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Netherlands | Capitol Records C. 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Sweden | Capitol Records C 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Switzerland | Telefunken Capitol CL 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F1922First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F1922First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 1922First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | UK | Capitol Records CL.13727First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-132First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Capitol Records 55067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 1922Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of The Blacksmith Blues are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1952, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records 1922, released February 1952.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1922, F1922, CL.13727, CP-132) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9371 - N2 2 2-52 and 11 9372 - D2 2-52. 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.
