Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1951
Unforgettable was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1951, 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.
45-7937-D3Side A
45-7938-D3Side B
45-7937-N1 [Scranton symbol] 7-52 8A runout, variant #2
45-7938-N1 [Scranton symbol] 7-52 8B runout, variant #2
12 7937-N2 12-51Side A Runout variant 1
11 7938-D41 12-51Side B Runout variant 1
5 7937-N1 #2 10-51Side A Runout variant 2
12 7938-D4 #2 10-51Side B Runout variant 2
7937-D1 1 ☆ 15Side A runout
7938-D1 1 ☆ 12Side B runout
45-7937-D 3 #3 ["symbol"] 1-52 1Runout side A
45-7937-D 2 #2 ["symbol"] 1-52 14Runout side B
(45-7938) ZLabel side B
7937-N1Side A
7938-D4Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records C-830First yearShellac, 10" | Shellac, 10" |
| 1951 | France | Capitol Records 1808First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 1808First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records F1808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 1808First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records F1808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Mono · Mono |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 1808First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records F-8307", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records C 1808Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records C. 1808Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records C 1808Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 1808Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Unforgettable are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US, Canada, France. One of them is Capitol Records F1808, released October 8, 1951.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F1808, 1808, C-830) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-7937-D3 and 45-7938-D3. 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.
