Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1952
Walkin' My Baby Back Home was first pressed on vinyl in 1952. 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 1952, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-7973-N1 [Anvil symbol] 6-52 4Runout A, variant 1
45-9580-N4 #2 [Anvil symbol] 6-52 1Runout B, variant 1
45-7973-N4 [Anvil symbol] 5-52 1Runout A, variant 2
45-9580-N1 [Anvil symbol] 6-52 4Runout B, variant 2
45-7973-N3 [Anvil symbol]Runout A
45-9580-N9 [Anvil symbol]Runout B
45-7973Label A
45-9580Label B
7973side A label
9580side B label
7973-N8 / latheside A Runout
9580-N3 / latheside B Runout
7973side A label
9580side B label
7973 - N6 ⌂Side A, Runout (Variant 1)
9580 - N6 ⌂Side B, Runout (Variant 1)
7973-N2 #3 ⌂ 9-52 4Side A, stamped (Variant 2)
9580-N4 ⌂ 9-52 10Side B, stamped (Variant 2)
CAP 45-7973-II XLabel A
CAP 45-9580-III XLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Argentina | Capitol Records 353197First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-151First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-151First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Austria | Telefunken CL 80268First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Germany | Capitol Records C 80 268First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Netherlands | Capitol Records C. 2130First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Switzerland | Telefunken Capitol CL 2130First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2130First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2130First year10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2130First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1952 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 2130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F2130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F2130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records CP-151Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records C 988Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records C 2130Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Denmark | Capitol Records C 2130Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| ? | France | Capitol Records 2130Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Telefunken Capitol C 80268Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records CP-151 / Capitol Records 2130Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 21307", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 2130Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of Walkin' My Baby Back Home are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1952, in US, Germany, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records F2130, released June 23, 1952.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F2130, 2130, CF 2130, 353197) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-7973-N1 [Anvil symbol] 6-52 4 and 45-9580-N4 #2 [Anvil symbol] 6-52 1. 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.
