Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1961
The Nat King Cole Story was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1961, 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.
WCL-1-1613-D1" #2 [Anvil symbol]Runout side A
W2-1613-N1" [Anvil symbol]Runout side B
WCL-3-1613-D1 [Anvil symbol]Runout side C
WCL4-1613-D1 #2 [Anvil symbol]Runout side D
SWCL 1 1613 N7VOL 1
SWCL 2 1613 N3VOL 1
SWCL 3 1613 D5VOL 2
SWCL 4 1613 N3VOL 2
WCL-1-1613-D1Side A [STAMPED]
WCL-6-1613-D2Side B [STAMPED]
WCL-2-1613-D1Side C [STAMPED]
WCL-5-1613-D2Side D [STAMPED]
SWCL21-1613A
SWCL2-1613B
SWCL3-1613C
SWCL4-1613D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Canada | Capitol Records WCL 1613First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1961 | Japan | Capitol Records CSP 3007C-9First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl |
| 1961 | UK | Capitol Records SW (1/2/3) 1613First yearLP | LP |
| 1961 | US | Capitol Records WCL 1613First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | Canada | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | US | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records SWCL1613 / Analogue Productions AAPP 1613-45LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Capitol Records SWCL1613 / Analogue Productions AAPP 1613-45LP, 45 RPM, Deluxe Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered | LP, 45 RPM, Deluxe Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records 83636/38 / Capitol Records 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Greece | Capitol Records 0777 9 95129 1 1 / Capitol Records 0777 7 95129 1 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Israel | Capitol Records SW 1926/7LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SWCL-1613LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | US | Capitol Records WCL 1613LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SWCL 1613LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
17 vinyl pressings of The Nat King Cole Story are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1961 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Canada, Japan. One of them is Capitol Records WCL 1613.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WCL 1613, SW (1/2/3) 1613, CSP 3007C-9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WCL-1-1613-D1" #2 [Anvil symbol] and W2-1613-N1" [Anvil symbol]. 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.
