Vinyl pressings
by Fantastic Four · 1968
Best Of The Fantastic Four was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1968, the album's first year. 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.
HS-1558-2 W4RS-6369-1 SS-717 A1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K ISide A runout
HS-1559-2 W4RS-6370-1 SS-717 A1 I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide B runout
HS-1558-2 W4RS-6369Side A label
HS-1559-2 W4RS-6370Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | Soul SS717 / Soul SS 717First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown SS717 / Tamla Motown SS 717LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 054-90 571LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1969 | Philippines | Soul SS717 / Motown SS 717LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11105LP, Stereo, Compilation | LP, Stereo, Compilation |
| 1969 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11105LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono | LP, Mono, Compilation · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Soul SS717 / Soul SS 717LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1969 | US | Soul SS717 / Soul SS 717LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Soul SS717 / Soul SS 717LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Soul SS717 / Soul SS 717LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Motown LPS-77463LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
11 vinyl pressings of Best Of The Fantastic Four are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US. One of them is Soul SS717.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SS717) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HS-1558-2 W4RS-6369-1 SS-717 A1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K I and HS-1559-2 W4RS-6370-1 SS-717 A1 I ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K. 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.
