Vinyl pressings
by Gladys Knight And The Pips · 1970
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 4 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.
HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115-1 SS-723 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout A
HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116-1 C ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K SS-723Runout B
HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115Label A
HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116Label B
HS-1680-2 SS-723 2•11•70A Side etched
Z4RS-2115-1 DA Side stamped
HS-1681-2 SS-723 2•11•70B Side etched
Z4RS-2116-1 DB Side stamped
HS-1680-2 SS-723 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout Side A [Etched]
Z4RS-2115-1 B HRunout Side A [Stamped]
HS-1681-2 SS-723 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout Side B [Etched]
Z4RS-2116-1 CRunout Side B [Stamped]
HS-1680-2Side A Label
HS-1681-2Side B Label
HS-1680-2 I Z4RS-2115-1 SS-723 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout A
HS-1681-2 I Z4RS-2116-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K SS-723Runout B
HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115Label A
HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116Label B
HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115-1 SS-723 1+ A2 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KRunout A
HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116-1 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K SS-723 1+ A2Runout B
HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115Label A
HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | Soul SS 723First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STMLM 6051First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11148 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 91379First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS723 / Soul 723First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS-723 DJ / Soul SS723First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Soul S 723 / Soul SS723First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS723 / Soul SS 723First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS 723First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Soul S 723 / Soul SS723First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS723 / Soul 723First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Soul SS-723First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Motown Records, Canada Ltd. SS 723LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Motown S 723LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11148 / Tamla Motown 1E 062 ◦ 91379LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Venezuela | Motown LPS-77624LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
15 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Soul SS723.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SS723, S 723, SS 723, SS-723) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HS-1680-2 Z4RS-2115-1 SS-723 H ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K and HS-1681-2 Z4RS-2116-1 C ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K SS-723. 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.
