Vinyl pressings
by Frank Sinatra · 1955
In The Wee Small Hours (Part 1) 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.
3 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 3 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.
F1-581-D1 ["Anvil / Lathe" symbol]Side A runout
F8-581-D1 ["Anvil / Lathe" symbol]Side B runout
F1-581Side A label
F8-581Side B label
F1-581-D1 M3-166456Side A Runout, stamped
F8-581-D1 M3-167102Side B Runout, stamped
F1-581Side A Label
F8-581Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records 1-581First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1955 | Germany | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records EAP1-581First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records 1-581First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records EAP1-5817", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records EAP1-5817", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records EAP1-5817", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records EAP 1-581 / Capitol Records EAP1-5817", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| 1957 | Italy | Capitol Records EAP 1-5817", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records EAP1-5817", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records EAP 1-5817", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
10 vinyl pressings of In The Wee Small Hours (Part 1) are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1955 and 1957.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, France, Germany. One of them is Capitol Records EAP 1-581.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EAP 1-581) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F1-581-D1 ["Anvil / Lathe" symbol] and F8-581-D1 ["Anvil / Lathe" 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.
