Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1985
Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 20 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.
AL 40122 1E G1 A7 STERLINGA runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped, variant 1
BL 40122 1D G1 D8 STERLINGB runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped, variant 1
AL 40123 1D G1 A15 STERLINGC runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped, variant 1
BL 40123 1C C6 STERLINGD runout etched, except "STERLING" stamped, variant 1
AL 40122 1G G1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
BL 40122 1H G1 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
AL 40123 1F G2 STERLINGSide C runout, variant 1
BL 40123 1E G1 STERLINGSide D runout, variant 1
AL 40122 1B P-MP STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
BL 40122 1A P-MP STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
AL 40123 1A P-MP STERLINGRunout side C, variant 1
BL 40123 1A P-MP STERLINGRunout side D, variant 1
AL40122 2H G1 A18 STERLINGSide A runout - etched (STERLING stamped)
BL40122 1̶F̶ 1K G1 D12 STERLINGSide B runout - etched (STERLING stamped)
AL40123 1F G1 B46 STERLINGSide C runout - etched (STERLING stamped)
BL40123 1E G1 C17 STERLINGSide D runout - etched (STERLING stamped)
CBS 88666 A1Side 1 Etched
CBS 88666 B2Side 2 Etched
CBS 88666 C1Side 3 Etched
CBS 88666 D1Side 4 Etched
CBS 88666 A1Side 1
CBS 88666 B2Side 2
CBS 88666 C4Side 3
CBS 88666 D3Side 4
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 88666 / Family Productions CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 88666 / CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 88666 / CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 88666 / CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 88666 / CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1088-9First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 3060~1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 263First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Peru | CBS S.E.8759First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Philippines | CBS QCL-22194First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Portugal | CBS 88666First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS AGP 139/140First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | South Korea | CBS CP2L-1027 (G2K-40121)First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | CBS 467536 1 / CBS CBS 88666LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 3-418 / Sony Music Commercial Music Group 88725411661Box Set, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, LP · Limited, Numbered | Box Set, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, LP · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Columbia 19802918791 / Legacy 19802918791LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | US | Columbia 19802918791LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS S2BP 263LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 88666LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 88666LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 88666LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
42 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1985 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia C2 40121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C2 40121, CBS 88666, S2BP 263, 40AP 3060~1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 40122 1E G1 A7 STERLING and BL 40122 1D G1 D8 STERLING. 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.
