Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1960
Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost was first pressed on vinyl in 1960. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1960, 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.
45-33415-N1 [Anvil symbol]Deadwax A, variant 1
45-22424-N1 [Anvil symbol]Deadwax B, variant 1
45-33415-N1 #3 [Anvil symbol]Deadwax A, variant 2
45-22424-N1" [Anvil symbol]Deadwax B, variant 2
F 33415-1 ET1Runout side A, Variant 1
F 22424-2 ET1Runout side B, Variant 1
F 33415-1 A ET1Runout side A, Variant 2
F 22424-2 P ET1Runout side B, Variant 2
45-33415-ARunout Side A
45-22424-BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Canada | Capitol Records F 4369First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Denmark | Capitol Records F 4369First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1960 | Germany | Capitol Records K 21 471First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | Germany | Capitol Records K 21 471First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1960 | Netherlands | Capitol Records F 4369First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1960 | UK | Capitol Records 45-CL 15129First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1960 | UK | Capitol Records 45-CL 15129First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records LP-43697", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records 4369First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1960 | US | Capitol Records 4369First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records 45-CP-14087", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | Capitol Records JCL 114Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Is It Better To Have Loved And Lost are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1960, in US, UK, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4369, released April 1960.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4369, 45-CL 15129, F 4369, K 21 471) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-33415-N1 [Anvil symbol] and 45-22424-N1 [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.
