Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1976
XIV 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.
16 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
SRAK 524 A-2 BLAIR'SA side runout, variant 1
SRAK 524 B-2 BLAIR'SB side runout, variant 1
SRAK 524 A-1 BLAIR'S GRH 3A side runout, variant 2
SRAK 524 B-2 GAP BLAIR'S 4B side runout, variant 2
SRAK 524 A-3-1-IA side runout, variant 1
SRAK 524 B 3B side runout
SRAK 524 A-2 BLAIR'SA side runout, variant 1
SRAK 524 B-2 BLAIR'SB side runout, variant 1
SRAK 524 A-1 BLAIR'S GRH 3A side runout, variant 2
SRAK 524 B-2 GAP BLAIR'S 4B side runout, variant 2
SRAK.524 A-1 BLAIR'SSide A, runout
SRAK.524 B-2 BLAIR'SSide B, runout
98228 A-1Side A
98228 B-1Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | RAK SRAK 524First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | RAK 1C 062-98 228 / EMI Electrola 1C 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | Columbia 14C 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | India | Columbia S/33EIX 5025First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | RAK ERS-80758First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | RAK ERS-80758First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-659First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Netherlands | RAK 1A 062-98228First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 062-98228First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | RAK 1A 062-98228 / RAK 5C 062-98228First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Scandinavia | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK 7C 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK OC 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1976 | Brazil | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK OC 062-98 228First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Ireland | RAK SRAK 524First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLE-624LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5801 / Music For Pleasure 41 5801 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Barbados | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK OC 062-98 228LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Europe | RAK SRAK 524 / RAK 7C 062-98228LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RAK 1C 074-60 234LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | RAK SRAK 524LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Africa | RAK SRAKJ(L) 6014LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
30 vinyl pressings of XIV Greatest Hits are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1976 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Brazil, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is RAK SRAK 524, released October 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRAK 524, 1C 062-98 228, 14C 062-98 228, S/33EIX 5025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRAK 524 A-2 BLAIR'S and SRAK 524 B-2 BLAIR'S. 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.
