Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1970
Cole's Greatest was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
1C048-50707-A-2 -M C̶A̶P̶I̶1̶ ̶2̶0̶0̶9̶0̶-̶2̶Runout side A stamped
50 707 M —B—3Runout side B stamped
1C 048-50 707 M ALabel Side 1
1C 048-50 707 M BLabel Side 2
1C048-50707-A-2 -M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXSide A
1C048-50707-B-2 -M XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXSide B
1C048-50707-M-A-2Side A runout
1C048-50707-M-B-2Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | Emidisc 1C 048-50 707 M / Emidisc C 048-50 707 MFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Germany | Emidisc C 048-50 707 M / Emidisc 1C 048-50 707 MFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Italy | Emidisc 3C 048-50707 MFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Sweden | Emidisc 4 E 048-50707 MLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Belgium | Capitol Records 4c052-80164LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Prestige For Pleasure 4M032-80164LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Fun FUN 9046LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Prestige For Pleasure 4M032-80164LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Prestige For Pleasure 4M032-80164LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Denmark | Emidisc C 048-50707LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Denmark | Emidisc C 048-50 707 MLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Europe | Emidisc C 048-50 707 / Capitol Records 1C 048-50 707LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Emidisc C 048-50707LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records K 73 214LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records K 83 214LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records F 667.698 / Capitol Records C 048-50 707 M-ALP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records K 83 214 / Capitol Records T 20090LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Emidisc 1C 048-50 707 M / Emidisc C 048-50 707 MLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records K 83214LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Italy | Emidisc 3C 034-50707 MLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Cole's Greatest are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1970 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in Germany, Italy. One of them is Emidisc 1C 048-50 707 M.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1C 048-50 707 M, C 048-50 707 M, 3C 048-50707 M) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1C048-50707-A-2 -M C̶A̶P̶I̶1̶ ̶2̶0̶0̶9̶0̶-̶2̶ and 50 707 M —B—3. 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.
