Vinyl pressings
by Tennessee Ernie Ford · 1955
Sixteen Tons was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1955, 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.
14296-N2 2(var. 1) Side A runout
14297-N4 4(var. 1) Side B runout
14296-N-21 A(var. 2) Side A etched [exc. A]
14297-N-25 A(var. 2) Side B etched [exc. A]
A 14296-N2 13 [Anvil symbol](var. 1) Side A runout
B 14297-N4 3 [Anvil symbol](var. 1) Side B runout
14296Side A label
14297Side B label
45-14296-N16 ⌂Stamped side A, variation 1
45-14297-N20 ⌂Stamped side B, variation 1
45-14296-N3 #3 ⌂Stamped side A, variation 2
45-14297-N4 ⌂Stamped side B, variation 2
45-14296-N3A runout, stamped, variant 1
45-14297-N2#3B runout, stamped, variant 1
45-14296-N13 ⌂A runout, stamped, variant 2
45-14297-N62 ⌂B runout, stamped, variant 2
45-14296-D1 4 ✩Runout A variant 1
45-14297-D4 1 ✩Runout B variant 1
45-14296-D5 2 ☆Runout A variant 2
45-14297-D1 2 ☆Runout B variant 2
14296-D2 2 ✩A-side runout
14297-D2 1 ✩B-side runout
14296A-side label
14297B-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Belgium | Capitol Records 3262First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records 3262First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | Canada | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | Denmark | Capitol Records 3262First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Denmark | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | France | Capitol Records F-3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | Germany | Capitol Records CF 3262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1955 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 3262First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3262First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records 3262First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Capitol Records F3262First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Capitol Records 353311Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | France | Capitol Records F-32627", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records K 20708 / Capitol Records F 32627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records C 3262Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Germany | Capitol Records F 32627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | India | Capitol Records CL. 14500Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Italy | Capitol Records CAP. 365Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| ? | Italy | Capitol Records F32627", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Italy | Capitol Records F 32627", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Mexico | Capitol Records 54947", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Netherlands | Capitol Records F 32627", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | New Zealand | Capitol Records 3262Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Norway | Capitol Records CL.14500Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Sweden | Capitol Records C 3262Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | UK | Capitol Records C.L. 14500Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
39 vinyl pressings of Sixteen Tons are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1955 and 1956.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Belgium, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Capitol Records 3262, released November 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3262, F3262, F-3262, CF 3262) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 14296-N2 2 and 14297-N4 4. 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.
