Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1955
A Blossom Fell 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.
15 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-13327-N1 [lathe]Variant 1, A-Side Runout Etching
45-13330-N1#2 [lathe]Variant 1, B-Side Runout Etching
45-13327-N2 [logo]Variant 2, Side A Runout, Stamped
45-13330-N1 #2 [logo]Variant 2, Side B Runout, Stamped
13327-N3 3 [Anvil symbol]A side variant 1
13330-N1#4 [Anvil symbol]B side variant 1
13327-N2#5 [Anvil symbol] 15A side variant 2
13330-N1#5 [Anvil symbol]B side variant 2
13327-D4 2 ＊Runout A
13330-D1 1 ＊Runout B
13327Label A
13330Label B
MX71179 13327 2.30Side A runout
MX71178 13330 3.00Side B runout
MX71179Side A label
MX71178Side 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 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-418First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-418First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records F-3095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Denmark | Capitol Records C 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records F-3095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records 3095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 3095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Germany | Capitol Records C 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3095First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3095First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3095First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records 3095First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Capitol Records 3095Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 3095Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of A Blossom Fell are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1955 and 1956.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Australia, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Capitol Records F3095, released April 11, 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F3095, 3095, CP-418, F-3095) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-13327-N1 [lathe] and 45-13330-N1#2 [lathe]. 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.
