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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
Miles Davis – Sketches Of Spain
1960 · US · Columbia · Vinyl LP Album Mono
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- x"Lp"49956XLP49956-1AXLP49956-1FXLP49956-1G IIXLP49956-1JXLP 49956-1F II
- Runout — side B
- x"Lp"49957XLP49957-1AXLP49956-1LXLP49956-1DXLP49957-1AC IIIXLP49957-1ACXLP 49957-1L II
- Rights society
- ASCAP, BMI
- Other
- 2(Bottom right corner of back cover)
- Printed By
- Imperial Paper Box Corp.
Specifications
- Artist
- Miles Davis
- Genre
- Jazz
- Style
- Modal
- Year
- 1960
- Label
- Columbia
- Catalog number
- CL 1480
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- A1Concierto De Aranjuez16:19
- A2Will O' The Wisp3:50
- B1The Pan Piper3:53
- B2Saeta5:08
- B3Solea12:14
- Producer
- Teo Macero
- Arranged By, Conductor
- Gil Evans
About this record
The original 1960 Columbia pressing of Sketches of Spain carries the "6-eye" deep groove label—a hallmark of early Columbia mono issues—and the stamped runouts XLP49956-1A and XLP49957-1A confirm first-pressing status. Demand significantly outpaces supply: 1955 collectors want this title against 3269 who own one, a ratio that sustains strong pricing across all grades.
The jacket was fabricated by Imperial Paper Box Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y., a detail marked by the "2" printed on the back bottom corner.
What drives its value
Sketches of Spain commands premium prices because original 1960 Columbia mono pressings remain scarce relative to collector demand. The 1955 want-to-have ratio reflects sustained interest in this modal jazz landmark.
Currently 5 copies are listed for sale at the lowest price tier, signaling tight market availability. The "6-eye" label variant and stamped dead-wax matrix (XLP49956-1A / XLP49957-1A) are the definitive markers of the original pressing; later reissues and stereo versions trade at substantially lower figures.
Condition grade drives valuation sharply on this title—original mono copies in high grades command multiples over played examples. The community rating of 4.46 across 213 votes underscores the album's canonical status, which sustains collector demand independent of pressing rarity.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number CL 1480 on the label and jacket spine. The label must read "6-eye" (six small circles around the center hole), and the side indicators should appear in full capitals with the "1" and "2" noticeably larger than the word "SIDE".
The stamped runouts in the dead wax read x"Lp"49956 and x"Lp"49957 on the labels themselves; the matrix numbers XLP49956-1A and XLP49957-1A appear etched in the vinyl. Orchestra credit on the label is abbreviated (not spelled out).
The jacket back bears the "2" in the bottom corner, confirming Imperial Paper Box Corp. fabrication. The spine reads "Miles Davis" in full.
Side I credits S. G.
A. E.
(ASCAP); Side II credits Gillian Music (BMI). Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for hairline scratches, the label for foxing or sticker residue, and the jacket for creasing or edge wear—original 1960 copies frequently show light play wear even in nominally high grades.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Release notes
Original "6-eye" deep groove label variation. Unidentified Columbia pressing plant. Runouts are stamped, hashes etched.
This version: Side indicators with full capitalization. Larger-sized side indicators ("1" and "2" are bigger than "SIDE"). Orchestra credit on labels is abbreviated. Writing credit for A1 aligned with track title.
"2" printed on jacket back bottom corner denotes jacket fabrication by Imperial Paper Box Corp., of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Artist name appears as "Miles Davis" on jacket spine, back and labels.
Track A2: From ''El Amor Brujo''
Publishers: Side I is S. G. A. E. (ASCAP) Side II is Gillian Music (BMI)
Recorded 11/20/59 and 03/10-11/60 in New York City. Liner notes by Co-Editor of "The Jazz Review."
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
How do I confirm this is the original 1960 pressing and not a later reissue?
Check the label for the "6-eye" design (six small circles around the center). Examine the dead wax: stamped runouts reading x"Lp"49956 and x"Lp"49957, with matrix numbers XLP49956-1A and XLP49957-1A etched into the vinyl, confirm the first pressing. The catalogue number is CL 1480. Later Columbia reissues carry different matrix codes and lack the "6-eye" label.
What does the "2" on the jacket back corner mean?
The "2" printed on the jacket back bottom corner denotes that Imperial Paper Box Corp. of Brooklyn, N.Y. fabricated the jacket. This detail helps distinguish original 1960 jackets from later reprints and is a useful authentication marker alongside the vinyl pressing itself.
Why is demand so high for this particular pressing?
1955 collectors want this title against 3269 who own one, reflecting the album's canonical importance in jazz history and the relative scarcity of original 1960 mono pressings. The community rating stands at 4.46 across 213 votes, indicating sustained collector enthusiasm. Original mono copies remain harder to find than stereo reissues.
What recording sessions produced this album?
The album was recorded across two sessions: 11/20/59 and 03/10-11/60, both in New York City. The sessions captured the modal arrangements that define the album's sound. Track A2 is from El Amor Brujo, as noted in the original liner notes.
How many tracks are on this pressing?
The album contains 5 tracks total. The side indicators on the label appear in full capitals with the "1" and "2" noticeably larger than the word "SIDE", a detail specific to this original pressing variant.