Vinyl pressings
by Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show · 1976
The Best Of Dr. Hook was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
AL 34147-1B 2TSide A runout, variant 1
BL 34147–1D 1T ASide B runout, variant 1
o AL 34147-1B 2T ESide A runout, variant 2
o BL 34147–1D 1T CSide B runout, variant 2
AL 34147-1C S1 B 1 oRunout A
BL 34147-1C S1 A6 oRunout B
AL 34147Label A
BL 34147Label B
AL 34147-1A PRunout Side A [Stamped]
BL 34147-1A PRunout Side B [Stamped]
o AL 34147-1C S1 C4Runout side A
o BL 34147–1C S1Runout side B
AL 34147-1B 2T CRunout side A
BL 34147–1B 1T DRunout side B
AL 34147Label side A
BL 34147Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234839First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234839First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia C 34147 / Columbia WC 34147First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia WC 34147First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81523First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP239010First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Spain | CBS S 81523First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, 80 RPM, Compilation, Stereo | LP, 80 RPM, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Promo, Compilation · Promo | LP, Promo, Compilation · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 34147First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS COL 10038LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34147LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34147LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Dr. Hook are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia C 34147.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 34147, SBP 234839, WC 34147, CBS 81523) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 34147-1B 2T and BL 34147–1D 1T 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.
