Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1968
The Best Of Nat King Cole was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1968, 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.
ST-1-2944 H-17Side A runout, variant 1
2-2944-H-5Side B runout, variant 1
O ST-1-2944-G12 #2 ERS [Rectangle with Diagonal] Mastered by CapitolSide A runout, variant 2
O SKAO 2 2944 X2 #1Side B runout, variant 2
ST-1-2944 H-17 · JAYSide A etched
2-2944 H-5 ·Side B etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲stamped
MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1020First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Germany | Capitol Records SMK 1020First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST 2944 / Starline ST 2944First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Capitol Records ST 2944 / Starline ST 2944First yearLP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records T 21139First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Capitol Records ST 21139First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 5C 054.80058 / Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | Spain | Capitol Records 1 J 062 80058 / Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Spain | Capitol Records ST 2944LP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944 / Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944 / Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944 / Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944 / Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944 / Capitol Records SKAO-2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Spain | Populi PLP-45LP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1976 | Turkey | Ronnex RON 23LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | South Korea | Capitol Records OLE-141LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records SN-516036 / Starline SN-516036LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | Capitol Records SN-16036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Turkey | Fiesta RON 23LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1 C 048-80 058LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21139 / Capitol Records ST-21139LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21139 / Capitol Records ST-21139LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records ST 21139 / Capitol Records ST-21139LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO-2944 / Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16036LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Starline SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records SKAO 2944LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records 6E 054 80058LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | EMI Electrola 1 C 048-80 058LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C 048-80 058LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 1 C 048-80 058 / EMI Electrola 1 C 048-80 058LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | Capitol Records STM-2944LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
61 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Nat King Cole are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1968 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST 2944.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 2944, SKAO 2944, T 21139, ST 21139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-2944 H-17 and 2-2944-H-5. 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.
