Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1972
The Greatest Of Nat King Cole was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. 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 1972, 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.
SLB 1 6803 H5 #1 0Side A runout
SLB-2-6803 H1 #2 0Side B runout
SLB 3 6803 J6 #1 0Side C runout
SLB 4 6803 J8 #1 0Side D runout
SLB 1 6803 H3Runout Side A
SLB-2-6803 H3Runout Side B
SLB 3 6803 H3Runout Side C
SLB 4 6803 H5 #2Runout Side D
SLB 1 6803 A13 #5 0Volume I, side 1 etched, exc. 0 stamped variant 1
SLB-2-6803 A13 #1 0Volume I, side 2 etched, exc. 0 stamped variant 1
SLB 3 6803 H8 #3 0Volume II, side 1 etched, exc. 0 stamped variant 1
SLB 4 6803 H7 #4 0Volume II, side 2 etched, exc. 0 stamped variant 1
SLB 1-6803Side A label
SLB 2-6803Side B label
SLB 3-6803Side C label
SLB 4-6803Side D label
SLB 1 6803 A 13 0Side A runout
SLB 2 6803 B 14 #4Side B runout
SLB-3 -6803-H1#1 0Side C runout
SLB 4 6803 H7#2 0Side D runout
SLB 1 6803 A15 #2 0Runout, Etched, Side A
SLB 2 6803 J16 #2 0Runout, Etched, Side B
SLB 3 6803 J15 #10 0Runout, Etched, Side C
SLB 4 6803 J15 #3 0Runout, Etched, Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Unknown | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Album, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1972 | Canada | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803 / Capitol Special Markets DH-2-102LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803LP, Album, Compilation, Repress | LP, Album, Compilation, Repress |
21 vinyl pressings of The Greatest Of Nat King Cole are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Capitol Special Markets SLB-6803.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLB-6803) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SLB 1 6803 H5 #1 0 and SLB-2-6803 H1 #2 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.
