Vinyl pressings
by Jo Stafford · 1949
Whispering Hope / A Thought In My Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1949. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1949, the album's first year, in 4 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.
4515-2D-2 9Runout side A stamped variant 1
4519-4D-1 8Runout side B stamped variant 1
4515-2D #16 [Anvil symbol] 1149 3Runout side A stamped variant 2
4519-4D-1 #13 [Anvil symbol] 1149 19Runout side B stamped variant 2
4515-2D-4 1 ☆ 3Runout side A stamped
4519-4D-2 ☆ 10Runout side B stamped
4515Label side A
4519Label side B
4519Label side A
4515Label side B
CAP.4515Label side A
CAP.4519Label side B
4515-2D-26Stamped Side A
4519-4D-1Stamped Side B
4515 YLabel Side A
4519 ZLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Canada | Capitol Records 78-117First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | Canada | Capitol Records C 117First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1949 | South Africa | Capitol Records CT.1052First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | UK | Capitol Records CL.13219First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | US | Capitol Records 690First yearShellac, 78 RPM, 10" | Shellac, 78 RPM, 10" |
| 1949 | US | Capitol Records 57-690First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1949 | US | Capitol Records 57-690First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records F6907", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1951 | Australia | Capitol Records CP009Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 690Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1953 | UK | Capitol Records CL.13219Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1954 | UK | Capitol Records CL.13219Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records CP-009Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records F-1177", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 54-6907", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
15 vinyl pressings of Whispering Hope / A Thought In My Heart are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1949 and 1954.
The earliest pressings are from 1949, in US, UK, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Capitol Records 57-690, released July 1949.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 57-690, 690, CL.13219, 78-117) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4515-2D-2 9 and 4519-4D-1 8. 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.
