Vinyl pressings
by Andrew Lloyd Webber · 1988
The Premiere Collection - The Best Of Andrew… was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ALWTV 1 A-3U-1-1 D TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 1
ALWTV 1 B-3U-1-1 DSide B runout, variant 1
ALWTV 1 A-3U-1-1 D TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 2
ALWTV 1 B-2-1-3 DSide B runout, variant 2
ALWTV 1 A-2-1-1- DSide A runout
ALWTV 1B-1-1- 1 PenthouseSide B runout
ALWTV 1 A 1 M9 360585 2Side A runout, stamped
ALWTV 1 B 1 M9 360586 2Side B runout, stamped
ALWTV 1A-2-1-1- DSide A runout - variant 1
ALWTV 1B-2-1 DSide B runout - variant 1
ALWTV 1 A-2-1-2 DSide A runout - variant 2
ALWTV 1 B-3U-1-1 DSide B runout - variant 2
837 282 - 1 S 1 320 H 1Side A
837 282 - 1 S 2 320 H 1Side B
837 282 - 1A PB EMIDISC DMMSide A runout
837 282 - 1B PB EMIDISC DMMSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Polydor 29200First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Brazil | Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6284First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6284First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6284First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Hungary | Really Useful Records SLPXL 37237First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Mexico | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Portugal | Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | South Africa | Really Useful Records STARL 5531First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | UK | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | UK | Really Useful Records ALWTV 1 / Polydor 837 282-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | South Korea | Polydor 837 282-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
21 vinyl pressings of The Premiere Collection - The Best Of Andrew… are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1988 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Really Useful Records ALWTV 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ALWTV 1, 837 282-1, MCA-6284, SLPXL 37237) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ALWTV 1 A-3U-1-1 D TOWNHOUSE DMM and ALWTV 1 B-3U-1-1 D. 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.
