Of all the categories of Sinatra memorabilia, I’d have to say that the 10″ LP is possibly my favorite. They’re sightly smaller than a regular size LP and, yet, large enough for attractive artwork and liner notes that can be read without a microscope (as is the case with the CD).

The 33RPM 10″ LP was just beginning to take hold near the end of Sinatra’s tenure at Columbia records. Until that time, the heavy and very breakable 78RPM record had ruled the scene and all of Sinatra’s releases had been in that format. The new format had a lot going for it and clearly the days of the 78 were numbered. Still, not everyone had a record player capable of playing the new discs and accordingly these were, at least for Sinatra’s Columbia releases, produced in much smaller quantities.

When it comes to 78RPM records, there are few highly desirable of the several hundred titles pressed. However, with 10″ LPs, the exact opposite is true: very few titles were pressed and all are considered desirable, both because they can be rare and also because they’re much more aesthetically pleasing since, unlike the 78, these had real artwork.

The most sought after would be the very first releases of The Voice of Frank Sinatra. The earliest pressings of this album were produced with very plain jackets, most commonly in a light mint green but also in a light pink as well. Later releases had the more familiar picture of Sinatra on the cover and, while still desirable, are many times more common and much easier to find.

It is important to remember that all of the Sinatra 10″ LPs released on Columbia are collectible. Prices vary from $10 - $200. Top titles would include Sing and Dance with Sinatra, Christmas Songs by Sinatra (several different variations of this are known, each with different covers), Get Happy and Young at Heart.

During the Capitol era, many of Sinatra’s records were released in as full-sized LPs, but many were also available in 10″ format. These are easier to locate but still highly collectible.

I’m not aware of any Reprise LPs being released in 10″ format.