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Tony BennettThe Art Of Excellence

Vinyl pressings

The Art Of Excellence

by Tony Bennett · 1986

14 pressings12 countriesVocalJazzPop

The Art Of Excellence was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of The Art Of Excellence

13 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.

US

1986
Label and catalog number
Columbia FC 40344Columbia C 40344
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

AL 40344

BL 40344

AL-40344-1A RL ED M1Sf1SM4 B11

BL-40344-2A RL B5 ED M1SF1SM8

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1986
Label and catalog number
CBS SBP 8183
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

∆ MX 217425 SBP 8183-1Side 1 runout etched

∆ MX 217426-B SBP 8183-2Side 2 runout etched

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 14 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s13 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1986ArgentinaCBS 120.775First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1986AustraliaCBS SBP 8183First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986BrazilDiscos CBS 138677First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986CanadaColumbia FC 40344First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986CanadaColumbia FC 40344First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986Costa RicaCBS 1100934First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986EuropeCBS CBS 26990First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986JapanCBS/Sony 28AP 3203First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1986MexicoCBS KLS-60150First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1986NetherlandsCBS 26990First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986UKCBS 26990First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1986USColumbia FC 40344 / Columbia C 40344First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1986VenezuelaCBS CS-10.546First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
Year unknown1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?JapanCBS/Sony 28AP 3203LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. A1Why Do People Fall In Love
  2. A2Moments Like This
  3. A3What Are You Afraid Of?
  4. A4When Love Was All We Had
  5. A5Everybody Has The Blues
  6. B1How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
  7. B2City Of The Angels
  8. B3Forget The Woman
  9. B4I Got Lost In Her Arms
  10. B5The Day You Leave Me

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of The Art Of Excellence are there?

14 vinyl pressings of The Art Of Excellence are listed here, from 12 countries.

When was The Art Of Excellence first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Columbia FC 40344.

How do I tell if my copy of The Art Of Excellence is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 40344, 26990, SBP 8183, 138677) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 40344 and BL 40344. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is The Art Of Excellence on vinyl worth?

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.

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