Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1978
Elvis Presley's Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.
RDES-2789 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side A, stamped, etched
RDES-2790 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side B, stamped, etched
RDES-2791 I Manufactured in GermanyRunout side C, stamped, etched
RDES-2792 I Manufactured in GermanyRunout side D, stamped, etched
REDS-2789-5E 23 (RDS-9001) A35Side A runout
REDS-2790-3E A3AAAL WSide B runout
REDS-2791-A-3E A5AAAF WSide C runout
REDS-2792-4E W A2AALSide D runout
RDS-9001-A MAX LYN 4772-1SSide A runout
RDS-9001-B LYN 4773-3S MAXSide B runout
RDS-9002-A LYN 4774-1S MAXSide C runout
RDS-9002-B LYN 4775-1S MAXSide D runout
RDES-2789 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side A (stamped, I etched)
RDES-2790 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side B (stamped, I etched)
RDES-2791 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side C (stamped, I etched)
RDES-2792 Manufactured in Germany IRunout side D (stamped, I etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Reader's Digest RD4 175First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | Europe | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | Germany | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA RE 16.30 007First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | Germany | Verlag Das Beste EPH 517 / RCA 76.30 818First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | Italy | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | South Africa | Reader's Digest RD 80-1-2First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | Spain | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA RDS-9005First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set, Compilation | LP, Compilation, Box Set, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6ALP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA 9001, 9002, 9003, 9004, 9005, 9006, 9007First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | Reader's Digest GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | Reader's Digest GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | RCA GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6A/S1First yearLP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1978 | UK & US | Reader's Digest GELV-6AFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Mexico | Selecciones Del Reader's Digest RDMS-55LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1987 | Italy | Selezione Dal Reader's Digest RDIS 185LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| 1987 | Italy | Selezione Dal Reader's Digest RDS 9001LP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Reader's Digest RD4-175LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Reader's Digest Music GELV-6A / Reader's Digest GELV-6ALP, Compilation, LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo | LP, Compilation, LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo |
| ? | UK & Europe | Reader's Digest GELV-6A / RCA GELV-6ALP, Compilation, Box Set | LP, Compilation, Box Set |
21 vinyl pressings of Elvis Presley's Greatest Hits are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Europe, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Reader's Digest GELV-6A.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GELV-6A, RD4 175, EPH 517, RD 80-1-2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RDES-2789 Manufactured in Germany I and RDES-2790 Manufactured in Germany 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.
