Vinyl pressings
by ABBA · 1976
The Very Best Of ABBA was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
2335 123 S 1 = 6 320Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2335 123=5 S2 320Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
117 2335 124 0 = 2 S 1 320Runout side C, stamped, variant 1
117 2335 124 0 = 2 S 2 320Runout side D, stamped, variant 1
2335 123 S1 320Side A, variant 1
2335 123=2 S2 320Side B, variant 1
117 2335 124=2 S1 320Side C, variant 1
117 2335 124=2 S2 320Side D, variant 1
2335 123 S1 320Side A, variant 1
2335 123=2 S2 320Side B, variant 1
117 2335 124=2 S1 320Side C, variant 1
117 2335 124=2 S2 320Side D, variant 1
2335 123 S1 320 I 0 1B • 4CRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
2335 123=2 S2 320 F M 1 • 4BRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
2335 124=2 S1 3 20 G P 1 • 5B 117Runout side C, stamped, variant 1
2335 124=2 S2 3 20 G H 1 • 3 117Runout side D, stamped, variant 1
2335 123 S1 320 K 1Runout, Side A
2335 123 S2 320 A R 2 ARunout, Side B
2335 124 S1 320 A M 2 ARunout, Side C
2335 124 S2 320 D 1Runout, Side D
2335 123 S1 320 G B 4Side A runout, stamped
2335 123=2 S2 320 1 S CSide B runout, stamped
2335 124 S1 320 D 2 V CSide C runout, stamped
2335 124 S2 320 Z B 4Side D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Austria | Polydor DA 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Europe | Polydor 2335 123 / Polydor 2335 124First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2612 032 / Polydor DA 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032 / Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 38 921 3LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032 / Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor 2612 032 / Polydor DA 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032 / Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Polydor DA 2612 032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Polydor DA 2612 032LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Polydor DA 2612 032 / Polydor 2612 032LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 839535-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor DA 2612032LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2612 032 / Polydor DA2612032LP, Compilation, Repress, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Repress, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (ABBA) QMCLP-010LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
29 vinyl pressings of The Very Best Of ABBA are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany, Austria, Europe, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polydor 2612 032.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2612 032, DA 2612 032, 2335 123) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2335 123 S 1 = 6 320 and 2335 123=5 S2 320. 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.
