Vinyl pressings
by Brotherhood Of Man · 1978
Twenty Greatest was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
BML 7980 A // 4 TO 1 1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
BILBORunout, A-side, etched variant 1
BML 7980 B // 4 TO 1 1Runout, B-side, stamped variant 1
DBRunout, B-side, etched variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Astor SPLP 1552First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Israel | Teen Records NSPL 18591 / Teen Records DD 35227First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | Pye Records PYC 6065First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | K-Tel BML 7980 / Pye Records BML 7980First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Zimbabwe | Pye Records PYC 6065First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Greece | Stateside NSPL 18591LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | India | Stateside NSPL 18591LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Greece | Pye Records PYE 5016LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Ireland | Pye Records NSPL 18591 / Pye Records NSPC18591LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | Pye Records NSPL 18591LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия C 60-15807-8LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия С 60—15807-8LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Pye Records PL-6034-ALP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия C 60-15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия C 60-15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия С 60—15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1983 | USSR | Мелодия С 60—15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1984 | USSR | Мелодия С 60–15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1987 | USSR | Мелодия С60-15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1988 | USSR | Мелодия С 60–15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USSR | Мелодия С60-15807-8LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | USSR | Мелодия С60-15807-8LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
22 vinyl pressings of Twenty Greatest are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Israel, South Africa and more. One of them is K-Tel BML 7980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BML 7980, SPLP 1552, NSPL 18591, PYC 6065) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BML 7980 A // 4 TO 1 1 and BILBO. 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.
