Vinyl pressings
by Nat King Cole · 1952
What Does It Take 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.
10 pressings came out in 1952, 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.
7974-D1 ☆ 3Side A runout variant 1
9571-D1 ☆ 3Side B runout variant 1
7974-D1 3 ☆Side A runout variant 2
9571-D2 3 ☆Side B runout variant 2
7974-D1 1 ☆Side A runout
9571-D4 2 ☆Side B runout
7974Label side A
9571Label side B
7974-N6 [Anvil symbol] 9-52 4 11Runout side A variant 1
9571-N12 [Anvil symbol] 9-52 5Runout side B variant 1
7974-N6 [Anvil symbol] 7-52 -6Runout side A variant 2
9571-N8 [Anvil symbol] 7-52 7Runout side B variant 2
45-7974-N4 [Anvil symbol] 9-52 4Side A runout
45-9571-N1 [Anvil symbol] 11-52 12Side B runout
45-7974Side A label
45-9571Side B label
45-7974-N6 'Anvil/Lathe - Image' 9-52 17Side A - Stamped
45-9571-N 6 'Anvil/Lathe - Image' 9-52 17Side B - Stamped
7994-N3 2 4-52 "Anvil"Side A
9571-N3 4-52 "Anvil"Side 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 | Unknown | Capitol Records F 2069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1952 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-168First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Canada | Capitol Records C-962First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F 2069First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records F 2069First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2069First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2069First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2069First year10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2069First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | US | Capitol Records 2069First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Capitol Records 2069Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records F-9627", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records CP168 / Capitol Records 2069Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 2069Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 2069Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of What Does It Take are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1952, in US, Australia, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records 2069, released April 1952.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2069, F 2069, CP-168, C-962) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7974-D1 ☆ 3 and 9571-D1 ☆ 3. 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.
