Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Valli · 1976
The Greatest Hits 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.
10 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
NE 942 A // 6 ▽ 420 06 15 2Stamped, side A
NE 942 B // 5 ▽ 420 06 15 3Stamped, side B
NE 942 C // 3 10 15 7Stamped, side C
NE 942 D // 3 10 11 8Stamped, side D
NE 942 A//6▽420 06 14 2Stamped, Side A
NE 942 B//5▽420 06 17 4Stamped, Side B
NE 942 C//3 T0 17 4Stamped, Side C
NE 942 D//3 T0 12 1Stamped, Side D
I - 66 NE 942 A1 EGSide A runout, etched Variant 1
I - 81 NE 942 B1 EGSide B runout, etched Variant 1
I - 78 NE 942 C1 N EGSide C runout, etched Variant 1
I - 79 NE 942 D1 EGSide D runout, etched Variant 1
Ｉ-49 NE 942 A1 2 EG 2Side A runout
Ｉ-67 NE 942 B1 2 EGSide B runout
Ｉ-72 NE 942 C1 2 EGSide C runout
Ｉ-68 NE 942 D1 EG 3Side D runout
NE-942-1A RRMRunout Side A etched
NE-942-1B RRRunout Side B etched
NE-942-2-A RRRunout Side C etched
NE-942-2-B RRRunout Side D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | K-Tel NA 491First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | K-Tel NC 457First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | K-Tel NC 457First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | K-Tel NC 457First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | K-Tel TN 1281First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Union TD-2013-14LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1976 | UK | K-Tel NE 942First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK | K-Tel NE 942First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1976 | UK | K-Tel NE 942First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1976 | UK & Ireland | K-Tel NE 942First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1976 | UK & Ireland | K-Tel NE 942First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Netherlands | K-Tel TN 1281LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | New Zealand | K-Tel NA 491LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | K-Tel NE 942LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited |
| 1977 | US | K-Tel NU 9350LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | K-Tel NE 942LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | K-Tel NU 9350LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
22 vinyl pressings of The Greatest Hits are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK & Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is K-Tel NE 942.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NE 942, NA 491, NC 457, TN 1281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NE 942 A // 6 ▽ 420 06 15 2 and NE 942 B // 5 ▽ 420 06 15 3. 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.
