Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1962
Dear Lonely Hearts was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1962, 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.
Anvil symbolSide A & B runout
T1-1838 D1 [Anvil symbol]Side A runout version 1
T2-1838 D1 [Anvil symbol]Side B runout version 1
T1-1838-D3 [Anvil symbol]Side A runout version 2
T1-1838-T2PSide 1
T2-1838-T2PSide 2
ST-1-1838-D6 [stamped "2"] [stamped "1"]Etching - Side A
ST-2-1838-D5 [stamped reverse "J"] [stamped "✩"]Etching - Side B
ST-1838Matrix - Side A & B
ST1-1838Matrix - Side A
ST-1-1838-D1 #3 & [Scranton anvil]Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
ST-2-1838-D1 II& [Scranton anvil]Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
ST-1-1838-D4 #3 M [Scranton anvil]Side A runout, variant 2
ST-1-1838-D3 #2 M [Scranton anvil]Side B runout, variant 2
T-1-1838 D6 [stamped "1"] [stamped "*"]Etching - Side A
T-2-1838 D6 [stamped "2"] [stamped "*"]Etching - Side B
T1-1838Side A Label
T2-1838Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Australia | Capitol Records SENC 9249First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | Australia | Capitol Records ENC 9249First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-1838First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 1838First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | Canada | Capitol Records T-1838First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-1838 / Capitol Records ST 1838First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1962 | France | Capitol Records T 1838First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | Germany | Capitol Records STK 83540 / Capitol Records ST-1838First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | Italy | Capitol Records T. 1838First yearLP | LP |
| 1962 | South Africa | Capitol Records T-1838First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records ST 1838First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records T 1838 / Capitol Records ST 1838First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records ST-1838First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records T-1838First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Capitol Records ST 1838First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SY-4577LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Capitol Records SY-4577LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Cosmorama SAL-1155LP, Album, Stereo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Stereo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records ST 1838 / Capitol Records ST. 1838LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Dear Lonely Hearts are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1962 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records T 1838, released December 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T 1838, ST-1838, T-1838, ST 1838) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Anvil symbol and T1-1838 D1 [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.
