Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1959
Midnight Flyer / Sweet Bird Of Youth was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. 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 1959, 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.
32000-DI 2A-side deadwax, variant 1
45-32001-D9B-side deadwax, variant 1
32000-D1 1 ☆A-side deadwax, variant 2
45-32001-D10 1 ☆B-side deadwax, variant 2
45-32000-D5 ARunout, side A, etched
45-32001- D15 CRunout, side B, etched
45-32000Label side A
45-32001Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Canada | Capitol Records F 4248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Denmark | Capitol Records F 4248First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | Finland | Capitol Records F 4248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Germany | Capitol Records F 4248 / Capitol Records F4248First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | Mexico | Capitol Records 5696First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1959 | Netherlands | Capitol Records F 4248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records F 4248First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records 45-CL 15056First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records 4248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | US | Capitol Records 4248First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | UK | Capitol Records 45-CL 15056First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1959 | UK | Capitol Records CL. 15056First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | France | Capitol Records F-42487", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Greece | Capitol Records F. 42487", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 42487", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Midnight Flyer / Sweet Bird Of Youth are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1959 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, UK, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4248, released August 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4248, F 4248, 45-CL 15056, CL. 15056) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 32000-DI 2 and 45-32001-D9. 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.
