Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Hancock · 1971
The Best Of Herbie Hancock was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 3 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.
44 Bert BST-89907-1Runout A etched
44 BST-89907-2 BertRunout B etched
44 BST-89907-3 BertRunout C etched
44 Bert / BST-89907-4Runout D etched
BST-89907-1 BWEtched, Runout Side A
BST-89907-2 BWEtched, Runout Side B
BST-89907-3 BWEtched, Runout Side C
BST-89907-4 BWEtched, Runout Side D
BST-89907-1 BWEtched, Runout Side A
BST-89907-2 BWEtched, Runout Side B
BST-89907-3 BWEtched, Runout Side C
BST-89907-4 BWEtched, Runout Side D
BST-89907-1 66 BWEtched, Runout Side A
BST-89907-2 BW 66Etched, Runout Side B
BST-89907-3 BW 66Etched, Runout Side C
BST-89907-4 66 BWEtched, Runout Side D
BST-89907-1 X BW 89907- AEtched, Runout Side A
BST-89907-2 X 89907 - B BWEtched, Runout Side B
BST-89907-3 89907- C BWEtched, Runout Side C
BST-89907-4 89907 - D BWEtched, Runout Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Germany | Blue Note BST- 89907First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Japan | Blue Note BST 89907First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST-89907 / Blue Note BST 89907First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 89907First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 89907First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | US | Blue Note BST 89907First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Blue Note BST 89 907 XLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST-89907LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST-89907LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Blue Note BST-89907LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Blue Note BST 89907LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1979 | US | Blue Note BST 89907LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | World Record Club R-09913 / World Record Club R-09914LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1984 | New Zealand | World Record Club WC 5346-2 / World Record Club R-09913LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | India | Liberty BST 89907LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 89907LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST-89907LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Blue Note BST 89907 / Capitol Records LWB-89907LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Herbie Hancock are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, Germany, Japan. One of them is Blue Note BST-89907.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BST-89907, BST 89907, BST- 89907) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 44 Bert BST-89907-1 and 44 BST-89907-2 Bert. 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.
