Vinyl pressings
by Meredith Willson · 1960
The Unsinkable Molly Brown - Original Broadway… was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
& SWAO-1-1509-N6 [anvil]Side A - stamped, Var. 1
& SWAO-2-1509-N3 [anvil]Side B - stamped, Var. 1
& SWAO-1-1509-N8 [anvil]Side A - stamped, Var. 2
& SWAO-2-1509-N8 [anvil]Side B - stamped, Var. 2
WAO - 1 - 1509 - N5Runout side A
WAO - 2 - 1509 - N5Runout side B
WAO-1-1509-N-12 1 ✲Side A Runout
WAO-2-1509-N-11 1 ✲Side B Runout
WAO - 1 - 1509 - N 7 [Anvil symbol]Runout side A, var. 1
WAO - 2 - 1509 - N 6 #2 [Anvil symbol]Runout side B, var. 1
WAO - 1 - 1509 - N 7 [Anvil symbol]Runout side A, var. 2
WAO - 2 - 1509 - N 7 [Anvil symbol]Runout side B, var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Canada | Capitol Records WAO-1509First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Canada | Capitol Records SWAO-1509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records SWAO 1509 / Capitol Records SWAO1509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records WAO1509 / Capitol Records WAO-1509First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records W 2152First yearLP | LP |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records SWAO1509 / Capitol Records SWAO-1509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records WAO 1509 / Capitol Records WAO1509First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records WAO1509 / Capitol Records WAO-1509First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records SW-2152 / Capitol Records SW 2152LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | US | Capitol Records SW 2152 / Capitol Records SW-2152LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records W 1509LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW 2152LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW 2152LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW-2152 / Capitol Records SW 2152LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records W 2152 / Capitol Records W-2152LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SW-2152 / Capitol Records SW 2152LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of The Unsinkable Molly Brown - Original Broadway… are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1960 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records SWAO 1509.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SWAO 1509, WAO1509, W 2152, SWAO1509) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, & SWAO-1-1509-N6 [anvil] and & SWAO-2-1509-N3 [anvil]. 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.
