Vinyl pressings
by James Last · 1970
The Very Best Of James Last 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.
10 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
00 2371 054 S1 A/3 5 24 4 ℗1979 B71 ◇ZRunout side A, variant 1
2371054BX̶//2420 14Runout side B, variant 1
00 2371 054 S1 A/3 5 27 4 ℗1969 B71 ◇ZRunout side A stamped (A/3 etched), variant 2
00 2371 054 S3 B/3 5 22 4 ℗1967 B71 ◇ZRunout side B stamped (B/3 etched), variant 2
2371054 A//4∇420 05 12Side 1, Runout, Stamped
2371054 B//6∇420 W 11Side 2, Runout, Stamped
2371054 A//4 420 05 12 21Runout side A, variant 1
2371054 B//5 420 04 11 30Runout side B, variant 1
2371054 A//4▽420 05 12 16Runout side A, variant 2
2371054 B//5▽420 04 11 20Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2371 054 LFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2371 054 A / Polydor 2371 054 LFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2371 054 A / Polydor 2371 054 LFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2371 054 LFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | Norway | Polydor 2371 054 / Polydor 2371054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2371-054 / Polydor 2371 054First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2371 054 / Polydor 2371-054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2371 054 / Polydor 2371-054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2371 054 / Polydor 2371-054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2371-054 / Polydor 2371 054First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Polydor 2414 034LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Ireland | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Jamaica | Polydor 2371 054LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | Polydor 2370010LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
18 vinyl pressings of The Very Best Of James Last are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1970 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, Italy, Norway. One of them is Polydor 2371-054.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2371-054, 2371 054, 2371 054 L, 2371 054 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 00 2371 054 S1 A/3 5 24 4 ℗1979 B71 ◇Z and 2371054BX̶//2420 14. 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.
