Vinyl pressings
by The Four Freshmen · 1961
The Best Of The Four Freshmen 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 2 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.
T 1 - 1640 - D2 [Anvil symbol]A side runout
T2 - 1640 - N1 [Anvil symbol]B side runout
T1-1640A side label
T2-1640B side label
t1- 1640 - D3 ☆Side A runout
t2 -1640 - D3 ☆Side B runout
T1-1640Label A
T2-1640Label B
ST1-1640Side 1 Matrix
ST2-1640Side 2 Matrix
ST-1-1640-D2 [Anvil symbol]Side 1 Runout Stamped
ST-2-1640-D1 [Anvil symbol]Side 2 Runout Stamped
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 | UK | Capitol Records T-1640First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Capitol Records T1640 / Capitol Records T-1640First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Capitol Records T-1640First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | US | Capitol Records ST 1640 / Capitol Records ST--1640First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1962 | Japan | Capitol Records CP 7039LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1962 | UK | Capitol Records ST- 1640 / Capitol Records ST1-1640LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 1640 / Capitol Records ST-1640LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records SY-4562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-11965LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-11965LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SY-4562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SY-4562LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Four Freshmen are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1961 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK. One of them is Capitol Records T1640, released November 1961.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T1640, T-1640, ST 1640) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T 1 - 1640 - D2 [Anvil symbol] and T2 - 1640 - 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.
