Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1987
The Very Best Of Hot Chocolate was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
EMTV 42 A-2 C-1-1Side 1 - Variant 1
EMTV 42 B-2 C-1-3Side 2 - Variant 1
EMTV 42 A-2 C-1-1 5Side 1 - Variant 2
EMTV 42 B-2 1-1Side 2 - Variant 2
EMTV 42 A-2C-1-1- 10Runout, A-side, variant 1
EMTV 42 B-2-1-3- 1 DRunout, B-side, variant 1
EMTV 42 A-2 C-1 X̶X̶ 5-5 DRunout, A-side, variant 2
EMTV 42 B-2-1-4-7 DRunout, B-side, variant 2
2611981-A2 1Variant 1; Side A
2611981-B4 2Variant 1; Side B
2611981-A1 4Variant 2; Side A
2611981-B1 -1Variant 2; Side B
2611981-A2Side A, variant 1
26119891-B4Side B, variant 1
2611981-A1 1AƆSide A, variant 2
26119891-B2 C 2 1 A CSide B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 6556First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1A 064-26 1198 1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1A 064-26 1198 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-26 1198 1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI 14 022 8LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI 062 2611981 / EMI 062-2611981First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI Greece 062 2611981LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Netherlands | EMI 064 26 1198 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ(L) 2611981First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | EMI 064-2611981First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EMTV 42 / EMI 26 1198 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EMTV 42 / EMI 26 1198 1First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMC 261198First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Australia | Axis AX 701510LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
14 vinyl pressings of The Very Best Of Hot Chocolate are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is EMI EMTV 42, released February 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMTV 42, EMC 261198, ST 6556, 1A 064-26 1198 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMTV 42 A-2 C-1-1 and EMTV 42 B-2 C-1-3. 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.
