Vinyl pressings
by Dave Mason · 1974
The Best Of Dave Mason was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 7 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.
P BTS 6013-6085-RE-1 TML BSide A etched, stamped P TML B
P BTS 6013 6086 X1 ASide B etched, stamped P A
6085Side A label
6086Side B label
T1 BTS 6013-6085 -1 A7Side A etched
T1 BTS 6013 6086 -1 B2Side B etched
6085Side A label
6086Side B label
S \ BTS 6013 6085 1B A1Side A, variant 1
S \ BTS 6013 6086 1B A3Side B, variant 1
S \ BTS 6013 6085 ̷1̷A̷ 1B A1Side A, variant 2
2G BTS 6013 6086 1A A1Side B, variant 2
BTS-6013-S1Side A
BTS-6013-S2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Blue Thumb Records L 35192First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Brazil | Blue Thumb Records 304.0043First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT. 10036First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTSJ(L) 6013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records ABCL0023First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 6013LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 6013 / ABC Blue Thumb BT 6013LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013 / Blue Thumb Records SWAO-95840LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1976 | France | ABC Records 68.309LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-800 / MCA Records BTS 6013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Dave Mason are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 6013.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 6013, L 35192, 304.0043, BT. 10036) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P BTS 6013-6085-RE-1 TML B and P BTS 6013 6086 X1 A. 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.
