Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1966
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SPC-3046-A 0Runout, side A, variant 1
SPC-3046-B 0Runout, side B, variant 1
SPC-3046-ARunout, side A, etched, variant 2
SPC-3046-BRunout, side B, etched, variant 2
SPC-3046-ARE W-2Etched on side 1
SPC-3046-B RE W-2Etched on side 2
SPC-3046-ARE X W-2Side 1
SPC-3046-B RE W-2 I SMSide 2
SPC-3046-ASide 1 Runout
SPC-3046-BSide 2 Runout
PC-3046-A PIside A runout etched
PC-3046-B PI SP426Bside B runout etched
SPC-3046-A RE T W-2Hand-etchings runout area side A, variant 1
SPC-3046-B RE W-2 I XHand-etchings runout area side B, variant 1
SPC-3046-ARE UU W-2Hand-etchings runout area side A, variant 2
SPC-3046-B XRE W-2Hand-etchings runout area side B, variant 2
SPC-3046-A RE X 1 W-2Side 1
SPC-3046-B RE X 2 RE W-2Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Sears SPS-426First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Sears SP-426First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046 / Pickwick/33 Records PC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | USA & Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1967 | Mexico | Pickwick/33 Discos PIC-003LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records PC-3046LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Meter SPC-3046 / Meteor SPC-3046LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Pickwick/33 Records PC 3046LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Cosmic CPSX-426LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC 3046LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of Love Is A Many Splendored Thing are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1966 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada, USA & Canada. One of them is Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPC-3046, SPS-426, SP-426) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPC-3046-A 0 and SPC-3046-B 0. 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.
