Vinyl pressings
by Chubby Checker · 1981
20 Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, 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.
Alt 3-27-81 MB 5104A Pete HelffrichSide 1, variant 1
MB 5104 B Pete HelffrichSide 2, variant 1
MB 5104A ALT 3-27-81 Pete HelffrichSide 1, variant 2
MB 5104B ALT 3-31-81 Pete HelffrichSide 2, variant 2
UN 1812007-A1Side A, etched
UN 1812007-B1Side B, etched
AN-8041-A--47311-2-YSide A runout, variant 1
AN-8041-B//47312-1-YSide B runout, variant 1
AN-8041-A//47311-1-YSide A runout, pressed, variant 2
AN-8041-B//47312-1-YSide B runout, pressed, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | K-Tel NC 548First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Universum Music UN 1812007First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Italy | Ricordi International ORL 8505First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Arrival Records AN 8041First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Everest MB 5104First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | ERA Records ONE 1209LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Italy | Lotus LOP 14.035LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Italy | Lotus LOP 14.035LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Success 208310LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Fun FUN 9038 / Fun 9038LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | FUN FUN 9038LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | DMC Records MB 5104LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
12 vinyl pressings of 20 Greatest Hits are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, France, Italy and more. One of them is Everest MB 5104.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MB 5104, NC 548, UN 1812007, ORL 8505) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Alt 3-27-81 MB 5104A Pete Helffrich and MB 5104 B Pete Helffrich. 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.
