Vinyl pressings
by Les Paul & Mary Ford · 1951
It's A Lonesome Old Town / Tiger Rag was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. 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 1951, the album's first year, in 2 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.
45-9386-N2 1-52 6Runout, Side A, Etched
45-9387-N1 1-52 10Runout, Side B, Etched
[Scranton Lathe Symbol]Runouts, Side A&B, Stamped
(45-9386)Label A
45-9386-N1 #2 [Anvil] 1-52 5Runout, Side A [stamped, # etched]
45-9387-N2 #2 [Anvil] 1-52 5Runout, Side B [stamped, # etched]
45-9386Label A
45-9387Label B
45-9386-N3 2A side stamped runout
45-9387-N6B side stamped runout
45-9386A side label
45-9387B side label
45-9386-N3 2A side stamped runout
45-9387-N6B side stamped runout
45-9386A side label
45-9387B side label
9386-N1 3
9387-N3 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records F-891First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records F-891First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records C-891First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records C-891First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records F1920First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records F1920First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1952 | Australia | Capitol Records CP112Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Switzerland | Telefunken Capitol CL 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records C 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records C. 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records C 1920Shellac, 10" | Shellac, 10" |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 1920Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records CL.13691Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Capitol Records F19207", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of It's A Lonesome Old Town / Tiger Rag are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1951 and 1952.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records F1920.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F1920, F-891, C-891) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-9386-N2 1-52 6 and 45-9387-N1 1-52 10. 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.
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