Vinyl pressings
by Air Supply · 1983
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 26 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.
BIT 10000-1ASide A runout, variant 1
BIT 10000-B XSide B runout, variant 1
BIT 10000-1A APSide A runout, variant 2
BIT 10000-B X DBSide B runout, variant 2
BIT 1000-1ASide A: Etched
BIT 1000 ASide A
BIT 1000-B 1C DBSide B: Etched
BIT 1000 BSide B
AL8-8024-SA RCA 1 A A-Side A Runout, Etched variant 1
AL8-8024-SB-2 BSide B Runout, Etched variant 1
I MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A1Side A Runout, Stamped variant 1
I MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A2Side B Runout, Stamped variant 1
AL 8-8024-SA MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. HRM1 🌺 A-2 ↔Side A runout
AL 8-8024-SB HRM2 🌺 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A-2 ↔Side B runout
(AL 8 8024 SA)Side A matrix center label
(AL 8 8024 SB)Side B matrix center label
AL8-8024-SA HRM2 (Flower Drawing) B-4 ⟷Side A runout etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side A runout stamped
AL8-8024-SB HRM2 (Flower Drawing) A-2 ⟷Side B runout etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Side B runout stamped
(Side A Label): AL 8-8024-SA
(Side B Label): AL 8-8024-SB
(Side A Etched): AL 8-8024 SA-1F
(Side B Etched): AL 8 8024 SB-1E
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Arista TLP-60090 / Arista 205.545First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Barbados | Arista AL8 8024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Brazil | Arista 713 8036 / Arista 814 117-17First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Canada | Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. BTLC 1005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL8-8024 / Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. AL8-8024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 8 8024 / Arista AL8-8024LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AL 8 8024 / Arista AL8-8024LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Colombia | Arista 18(0931)00247First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 545First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 205 545First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Greece | Virgin VG 60022First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 814682-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 814682-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Arista 74006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Arista AL 8-8024First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Colombia | Ariola 18(6131)02007LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1993 | Colombia | Ariola 18(6131)02007 / Ariola 01186102007LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Arista 205 545LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Arista 205 545 / Arista S 205 545LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Mexico | Arista LAE-554 / Arista 205.609LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Arista AL8-8024 / Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. AL8-8024LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Arista AL8-8024 / Arista AL 8 8024LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Arista AL 8 8024 / Arista AL8-8024LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Arista AL8 8024 / Arista AL8-8024LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
70 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1983 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Australia, US, Ireland, Argentina and more. One of them is Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. BIT.10000, released August 15, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIT.10000, AL 8 8024, AL8-8024, AL8 8024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIT 10000-1A and BIT 10000-B X. 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.
