Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1972
The Best Of James Brown was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1972, the album's first year. 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.
2499 052 S1 320Runout side A, variant 1
2499 052 S2 320Runout side B, variant 1
2499 052 S1 320 C 1Runout side A, variant 2
2499 052 S2 320 A 1Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Germany | Karussell 2499 052First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2499 052LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2499 052LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2499 052LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2499 052LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2499 052LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Polydor 2391.528LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 24 86 206LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 28 61 296LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Venezuela | Polydor 30.542-LLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Polydor 849 145-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Best Of James Brown are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1972 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany. One of them is Karussell 2499 052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2499 052) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2499 052 S1 320 and 2499 052 S2 320. 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.
