Vinyl pressings
by Jackie Gleason · 1957
Velvet Brass was first pressed on vinyl in 1957. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1957, 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.
W1-859-N9 [Anvil Symbol] -Side A stamped, Variant 1
W2-859-N7#2 [Anvil Symbol] -Side B stamped, Variant 1
W1-859-D2#2 [Anvil Symbol] 2S-Side A stamped, Variant 2
W2-859-N2 [Anvil Symbol] -Side B stamped, Variant 2
W1-859-N9 ⌂ -Side A stamped, ⌂=Scranton stamp
W2-859-N7#2 ⌂ -Side B stamped, ⌂=Scranton stamp
W1 859-1NRunout side A
W2 859-1NRunout side B
W1-859Matrix label side A
W2-859Matrix label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | New Zealand | Capitol Records W.859First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | UK | Capitol Records LCT 6153First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Capitol Records W 859 / Capitol Records W-859First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Capitol Records W-859First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1958 | France | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Italy | Capitol Records W 859LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records SW 859 / Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records SW 859 / Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records SW 859 / Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records SW 859 / Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records W 859 / Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SW-859 / Capitol Records SW 859LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records W-859LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records CSP-1004LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records W-859LP | LP |
| ? | South Africa | Capitol Records W 859LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records SLCT 6153LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW 859 / Capitol Records SW-859LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-859LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Velvet Brass are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1957 and 1962.
The earliest pressings are from 1957, in US, UK, New Zealand. One of them is Capitol Records W 859.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W 859, W-859, LCT 6153, W.859) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W1-859-N9 [Anvil Symbol] - and W2-859-N7#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.
