Vinyl pressings
by Engelbert Humperdinck · 1974
His Greatest Hits 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.
30 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 17 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.
XZAL-13321.P-2WStamped, side A variant 1
XZAL-13322.P-2WStamped, side B variant 1
XZAL-13321.P-4WStamped, side A variant 2
XZAL--13322.P-4WStamped, side B variant 2
XZAL-13321.P-2WRunout area side A variant 1 stamped
XZAL-13322.P-2WRunout area side B variant 1 stamped
XZAL-13321.P-2W K K 1Runout area side A variant 2 stamped
XZAL-13322.P-2W V 2D U URunout area side B variant 2 stamped
XZAL13389 PP STERLINGRunout A
XZAL13390 PP STERLINGRunout B
XZAL 13389 ALLabel A
XZAL 13390 ALLabel B
XZAL13389 3-W STERLINGRunout A
XZAL13390 3-W STERLINGRunout B
XZAL 13389 WLabel A
XZAL 13390 WLabel 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 | Decca SKL 5198First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Decca SKLA 5198First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Barbados | London Records PAS 71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Belgium | Decca LPZ 515First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Belgium | Decca SKL 5198-Y / Decca SKL 5198 YFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Parrot PAS 71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Parrot PAS 71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Parrot PAS 71067 / Parrot PAS.71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | Parrot PAS.71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Colombia | Daro Internacional PAS 71067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Germany | Decca 6.22106 AS / Decca 6.22 106 (AS)First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Greece | Decca SGLK 036First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | India | Decca SKL 5198First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Israel | PAX ISK1118First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Italy | Decca SKLI 5198First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Decca 6.24732LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Decca 6412 013LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Axis AXIS-6435LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Belgium | Decca SKL 5198 YLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Belgium | Decca LPZ 515LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Brazil | London Records LLN-7294-S / London Records LLN 7294-SLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Parrot PAS 71067LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Parrot PAS 71067 / Parrot PAS.71067LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Decca PAS 71067LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Israel | PAX ISK 1118LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca 6835 123LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca 6412 013LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Parrot PAS 71067 / London Records PAS 71067LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Parrot PAS 71067 / London Records PAS 71067LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | US | Parrot PAS 71067 / London Records PAS 71067LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Parrot PAS-71067LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Venezuela | Parrot PAS-71067LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
56 vinyl pressings of His Greatest Hits are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1974 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Decca SKL 5198.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKL 5198, PAS 71067, SKLA 5198, LPZ 515) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-13321.P-2W and XZAL-13322.P-2W. 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.
