Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1950
The Greatest Inventor was first pressed on vinyl in 1950. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1950, the album's first year, in 4 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.
5665-4N-17#3 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 1A side stamped variant 1
5664-2N-18#2 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 11B side stamped variant 1
5665-4N-18 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 11A side stamped variant 2
5664-2N-18#3 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 6B side stamped variant 2
5665-4D22 4 ☆ 8Side A Stamped (Variant 1)
5664-2D20 4 ☆ 3Side B Stamped (Variant 1)
5665-4D19 1 ☆ 25Side A Stamped (Variant 2)
5664-2D20 3 ☆ 21Side B Stamped (Variant 2)
5665-YA side label
5664-ZB side label
5665-4D-13 ⌂ 7-50 1A side stamped
5664-2D-65 ⌂ 8-50 4B side stamped
5665-YA side label
5664-ZB side label
45-5664-2D3 #2 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 6Deadwax A, variant 1
45-5665-ND1 #2 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 6Deadwax B, variant 1
45-5664-2D1 #2 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 3Deadwax A, variant 2
45-5665-4N4 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 2Deadwax B, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Canada | Capitol Records C-352First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Denmark | Telefunken Capitol A 18063First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records F1010First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records F1010First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1950 | US | Capitol Records 1010First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F10107", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records C 1010Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 1010Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of The Greatest Inventor are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1950 and 1952.
The earliest pressings are from 1950, in US, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands. One of them is Capitol Records 1010, released May 15, 1950.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1010, F1010, C-352, A 18063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5665-4N-17#3 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 1 and 5664-2N-18#2 [Anvil symbol] 7-50 11. 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.
