Vinyl pressings
by Bananarama · 1988
The Greatest Hits Collection 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.
27 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
RAMA 5 A-5U-1-Side 1: Variant 1: stamped
RAMA 5 B-5U-1-1Side 2: Variant 1: stamped
RAMA 5 A-4U-1-1Side 1: Variant 2: stamped
RAMA 5 B-2U-1-1Side 2: Variant 2: stamped
RAMR 5 A-2J-1-1
RAMR 5 B-1U-1-1
828 106 1 A 1Y1 830 1988Side A
828 106 1 BA̶ 1Y3 830 1988Side B - all stamped, except "B" etched while A being strike-out
422-828-1271 A 4̶2̶2̶•̶8̶2̶8̶•̶1̶0̶6̶•̶1̶•̶A̶ C1 G1 fw ¢ A8Runout A
422•828•1̸6̸1̸ 1271•B C1 G1 fw B4Runout B
422 828 127-1 ASLabel A
422 828 127-1 BSLabel B
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 | Australasia | London Records 828 106-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | London Records 828 106-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Ecuador | London Records L.P-23002First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | London Records 828 147-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | London Records 828 106-1 / London Records RAMA 5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | London Records 828 106-1 / London Records RAMA 5First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Finland | London Records 828106-1 / London Records RAMA 5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | France | Polydor 828 146-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Japan | London Records L20P 1263First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Qualitel Q-LP 259-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Philippines | London Records 828 127-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Portugal | London Records 828106-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | South Africa | London Records STARL 5526 / Teal Trutone MusicFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | South Korea | London Records 828 106-1 / Decca SEL-RD 1188First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Spain | London Records 828 143-1First yearLP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Czechoslovakia | Opus 9313 2223LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | London Records 828 158-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of The Greatest Hits Collection are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1988 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is London Records RAMA 5, released October 10, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAMA 5, RAMR 5, 828106-1, 828 127-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAMA 5 A-5U-1- and RAMA 5 B-5U-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.
