Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1953
Answer Me, My Love / Why was first pressed on vinyl in 1953. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1953, the album's first year, in 8 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.
45-20242-D2A side runout, variant 1
45-117210-D1B side runout, variant 1
45-20242-D2 1 ☆A side runout, variant 2
45-117210-D4 1 ☆B side runout, variant 2
20242-N5 'capitol symbol'Stamped Side A
11720=D2 'capitol symbol'Stamped Side B
20242Side A label
11720Side B label
45-20242-D2Side A
45-117210-D1Side B
45-20242-N3 #2Side A, variant 1
45-11720-D3 #3Side B, variant 1
45-20242-D2 AnvilSide A
45-117210-D1 AnvilSide B
20242-D9 ☆Stamped Side A
11720-D3 ☆Stamped Side B
20242Side A label
11720Side B label
20242-N7 / latherunout stamped side A
11720-N1 / latherunout stamped side B
20242label side A
11720label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Canada | Capitol Records F-1272First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1953 | Canada | Capitol Records C-1272First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Denmark | Capitol Records C 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | France | Capitol Records 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 2687First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1953 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 26877", 45 RPM, Repress, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Repress, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1953 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Norway | Capitol Records C 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | Sweden | Capitol Records C 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2687First year10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records F2687First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records 2687First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1953 | US | Capitol Records F2687First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Capitol Records F-26877", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Italy | Capitol Records 2687 / Capitol Records Cap. 134Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 2687Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| ? | Switzerland | Capitol Records CL 2687Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
25 vinyl pressings of Answer Me, My Love / Why are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1953 and 1954.
The earliest pressings are from 1953, in US, Canada, Denmark, France and more. One of them is Capitol Records F2687, released December 8, 1953.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F2687, 2687, F-1272, C-1272) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-20242-D2 and 45-117210-D1. 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.
