Vinyl pressings
by Dave Mason · 1981
The Best Of Dave Mason 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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.
PAL-37089-1F TML-S B 0 T IRunout side A, etched/stamped
PBL-37089-1F TML-S V 0 T IRunout side B, etched/stamped
AL 37089Label side A
BL 37089Label side B
PAL-37089 G1A G1 A14 (AP-D)Runout side A, variant 1, etched/stamped
PBL-37089 G1A G1 P7 <BXTR>Runout side B, variant 1, etched/stamped
PAL-37089 G1A G1 A14 (AP-D)Runout side A, variant 2
PBL-37089 G1A G1 P8 <BXTR>Runout side B, variant 2
PAL-37089-1M TML-SSide A etched exc. TML-S stamped
PBL-37089-1G TML-XSide B etched
AL 37089Side A label
BL 37089Side B label
PAL-37089-1G TML-X PRunout side A
PBL-37089-1D TML-X PRunout side B
AL 37089Label side A
BL 37089Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia FC 37089First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2033First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2033First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Columbia FC 37089First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Columbia PC 37089First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | Columbia PC 37089First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia FC 37089First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia FC 37089 / Columbia PC 37089First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 84910 / CBS S CBS 84910First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Columbia 25AP 2033 / 耕韻 PM-A-36LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
10 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Dave Mason are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Japan. One of them is Columbia FC 37089.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 37089, PC 37089, CBS 84910, 25AP 2033) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-37089-1F TML-S B 0 T I and PBL-37089-1F TML-S V 0 T I. 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.
