Vinyl pressings
by Four Tops · 1968
Greatest Hits 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.
8 pressings 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.
STML 11061 A-1 GDSide A, runout, stamped variant 1
STML 11061 B-1 GGSide B, runout, stamped variant 1
STML 11061 A-1 GOSide A, runout, stamped variant 2
STML 11061-B 1 M ISide B, runout, stamped variant 2
TML 11061 A - 2Runout, A-side, stamped
TML 11061 B - 2Runout, B-side, stamped
(TML.11061A)Side A, label
(TML.11061B)Side B, label
STML 11061 A - 1 OO 1Run-out side A, stamped variant 1
STML 11061 B - 2 RA 2Run-out side B, stamped variant 1
STML 11061 A - 1 RR 1Run-out side A, stamped variant 2
STML 11061 B - 2 H 2Run-out side B, stamped variant 2
STML 11061-A-3Hand Etched
STML 11061 - B - 3
TML 11061 A-2Runout side A stamped
TML 11061 B-2Runout side B stamped
TML.11061ALabel side A
TML.11061BLabel side B
STML 11061A -1Side A, 8 o'clock, stamped
STMLHOC1BSide B, 7 o'clock, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11061 / Tamla Motown TML. 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11061 / Tamla Motown TML. 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-90772LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown WL72280LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Motown 5C 054-90772LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-90772LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Motown 5C 058-90772 / Tamla Motown 5C 058-90772LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11061LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1968 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK. One of them is Tamla Motown STML 11061, released January 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STML 11061, TML 11061) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STML 11061 A-1 GD and STML 11061 B-1 GG. 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.
