Vinyl pressings
by 10cc · 1979
Greatest Hits 1972-1978 was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
9102504 1Y // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 1 1 1 1Runout, A-side, stamped. Var. 1
9102504 2Y // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 1 1 1 1Runout, B-side, stamped. Var. 1
9102504 1Y // 3 ∇ E STR 15L STRAWBERRYRunout, A-side, stamped. Var. 2
9102504 1Y // 3 ∇ E STR 1 STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, stamped. Var. 2
9102 504 A2 STRAWBERRY ARunout, A-side, variant 1
9102 504 B2 STRAWBERRY ARunout, B-side, variant 1
9102 504 A2 STRAWBERRY ARunout, A-side variant 2
9102 504 B2 STRAWBERRY C 1Runout, B-side variant 2
9102504A//4∇ 420WRunout, A-side, stamped
9102504 2Y // 1 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 1 1Runout, B-side, stamped
S-18 9102504 1Y//1∇E STR 15 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
S-19 9102504 2Y//2∇E STR STRAWBERRY 12 [2 is backwards]Side B runout, variant 1
S-34 9102504 1Y // 2 ∇ E STR 15 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 2
S-35 9102504 2Y // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 12Side B runout, variant 2
A-1[(triangle pointing left with dot in center)] PD-1-6244-A STRAWBERRYSide A etched, exc inverted STRAWBERRY stamped
A-1(triangle pointing left with dot in center)] PD-1-6244-B STRAWBERRYSide B etched, exc inverted STRAWBERRY stamped
PD1-6244 A-1A 1TSide A runout
T1 PD-1-6244-B-CTC-3Side B runout
PD-1-6244 ASide A label
PD-1-6244 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Austria | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Brazil | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6244First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6244First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Mercury 27 312-8LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Germany | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Israel | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Italy | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Japan | Mercury RJ 7634First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Mercury RJ 7634First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Mercury 6310 505First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Mercury 9102 504First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Colombia | Mercury 6310505LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 31 607 5LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1983 | South Korea | Mercury 6310 505 / Mercury SEL-RP 582LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Spain | Mercury 63 10 505 / Mercury 424603-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221260 / Mercury 6310 505LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Mercury 6310 505LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9488LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Polydor MIP-1-9488LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Mercury 9102 504LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 6310 505LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Mercury 9102 504LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Philippines | Mercury 6310 505LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits 1972-1978 are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1979 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 9102 504, released September 21, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9102 504, PD-1-6244, 6310 505, RJ 7634) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9102504 1Y // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 1 1 1 1 and 9102504 2Y // 2 ∇ E STR STRAWBERRY. 1 1 1 1. 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.
