Vinyl pressings
by Cream · 1972
The Best Of Cream was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1972, the album's first year. 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.
2487 022 S1 ℗ 1969 320 1ARunout Side A, variant 1
2487 022 S 2 ℗ 1969 320 1 0Runout Side B, variant 1
2487 023 S 3 ℗̶ 320 1 NRunout Side C, variant 1
2487 023 S 4 320 1 MRunout Side D, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Germany | Karussell 2674 010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RSO MW 8655/6LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2487 023Compilation, LP | Compilation, LP |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2674 010LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1977 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RSO MW 8663/4LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Japan | RSO MW 8663/4LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679/5680 / PGP RTB 2LP 5679/80LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2674 010LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2674 010LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2674 010LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Karussell 2674 010LP, Compilation, Repress, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Repress, Reissue |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2LP 5679 / 5680 / Polydor 2674 010LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
17 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Cream are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1972 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany. One of them is Karussell 2674 010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2674 010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2487 022 S1 ℗ 1969 320 1A and 2487 022 S 2 ℗ 1969 320 1 0. 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.
