Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1956
Ballads Of The Day was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year, in 6 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.
T1-680-D2 [Anvil symbol]Runout A version 1
T1-680-D3 [Anvil symbol]Runout B version 1
T1-680-D2 #2 [Anvil symbol] 1Runout A version 2
T1-680-D2 #3 [Anvil symbol] -Runout B version 2
T1-680Side 1 Matrix
T2-680Side 2 Matrix
T1-680-N2Side 1 Runout Stamped
T2-680-D26Side 2 Runout Stamped
T1-680-D17 [Anvil Symbol]Side 1 Runout [Stamped-Scrpt]
T2-680-D22 2 [Star Symbol]Side 2 Runout [Stamped-Script]
T1-680Side 1 Label
T2-680Side 2 Label
T1-680-D11 2 ⌂Side 1 runout [⌂ stamped]
T2-680-D2 3 ⌂Side 2 runout [⌂ stamped]
T1-680Side 1 label
T2-680Side 2 label
T1-680Side 1 Matrix
T2-680Side 2 Matrix
T1-680-D 25 #2Runout Side A variant 1
1 S T2-680-D26 #4Runout Side B variant 1
T1-680-D17 [Anvil Symbol]Side 1 Runout [Stamped-Scrpt]
T2-680-D22 2 [Star Symbol]Side 2 Runout [Stamped-Script]
T1-680Side 1 Label
T2-680Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Canada | Capitol Records DT 680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Canada | Capitol Records T 680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Cuba | Capitol Records W 1331First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | Mexico | Capitol Records TM680 / Capitol Records TM-680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | South Africa | Capitol Records LC 6818 / Capitol Records LC.6818First yearLP, Album, 10" | LP, Album, 10" |
| 1956 | UK | Capitol Records LC6818 / Capitol Records LC.6818First yearLP, 10", Album | LP, 10", Album |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T 680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T 680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1956 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1957 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1958 | Australia | Capitol Records T-680 / Capitol Records T 680LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records T680LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records T 680LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records T680 / Capitol Records T-680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records T680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | Capitol Records EMS 1102 / Capitol Records 26 0772 1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | DOL DOS710HLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Capitol Records T-680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ENC-9065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ENC9065LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ENC 9065LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ENC 9065 / Capitol Records ENC-9065LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Brazil | Capitol Records T 680LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Brazil | Capitol Records T 680LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 052-81362LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records T-680LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records T 680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records T680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records T 680 / Capitol Records T680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Africa | Capitol Records T 680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Capitol Records DT 680LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records T 680 / Capitol Records T-680LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
43 vinyl pressings of Ballads Of The Day are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1956 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in US, UK, Canada, Cuba and more. One of them is Capitol Records T680, released January 1956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T680, T 680, LC6818, DT 680) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1-680-D2 [Anvil symbol] and T1-680-D3 [Anvil symbol]. 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.
