Vinyl pressings
by Jethro Tull · 1975
M.U. - The Best Of Jethro Tull was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 2 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.
CHR 1078 (31900-1)-WB-1 • –––◁Side A etched variant 1
CHR-1078 31901-W1 #1 SIDE 2Side B etched variant 1
CHR-1078 31900-W3-1. • –––◁ *Side A etched variant 2
CHR-1078 31900-W3-2. • –––◁ *Side B etched variant 2
CHR-1078 T1 31900-1-2Side A Machine Stamped
CHR-1078 T1 31901-1-￭3Side B Machine Stamped
CHR-1078 T1 31900-1-1Runout, Side I, etched, variant 2
CHR-1078 T1 31901-1-1Runout, Side II, etched, variant 2
p CHR-1078 31900-1 X 火⊞A-Side Runout Etching
p CHR-1078 31901-1 火⊞B-Side Runout Etching
31,900A-Side Label
31,901B-Side Label
CHR-1078 31900-1 X `K⊞ PSide A Runout (Variant 1)
CHR-1078 31901-1 `K⊞ A 3 PSide B Runout (Variant 1)
CHR-1078 31900-1 XX `K⊞ PSide A Runout (Variant 2)
CHR-1078 31901-1 `K⊞ A 1 PSide B Runout (Variant 2)
CHR-1078 31900-1A 火⊞ ACSide A Runout Etched
CHR-1078 31901-1A 火⊞ ASide B Runout Etched
31,900Side A Label
31,901Side B Label
CHR-1078 31900-W1 #2 0 SIDE 1Side A Etched
CHR-1078 31901-W1 #2 0 SIDE 2Side B Etched
(31,900)Side A Label
(31,901)Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | New Zealand | Chrysalis L 35737 / Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1975 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1976 | Argentina | Chrysalis 6307 566 / Chrysalis 5318LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Chrysalis L 35737 / Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | Chrysalis CYL.35737 / Chrysalis L 35737LP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Austria | Chrysalis 202 661-320 / Chrysalis 202 661LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 202 661 / Chrysalis 202 661-320LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Chrysalis CHR 09LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Spain | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1078LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 41078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 41078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Chrysalis FV 41078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Chrysalis FV 41078LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Chrysalis FV 41078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | Chrysalis FV 41078LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 202 661-320LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Korea | Chrysalis CKPL 0011LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Chrysalis R1 1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | ChrysalisLP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Australia | Chrysalis CHM321078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Benelux | Chrysalis 511078LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHR-1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHM-41078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHR-1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Chrysalis CHR-1078LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | El Salvador | Chrysalis CA-1388LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | El Salvador | Chrysalis CA-1388LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| ? | El Salvador | Chrysalis CA-1388LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Europe | Chrysalis 1C 038-3 21078 1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Chrysalis 1C 038-3 21078 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis 202 661 / Chrysalis 202 661-270LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 566LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis CHR 1078 / Chrysalis 6307 566LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
131 vinyl pressings of M.U. - The Best Of Jethro Tull are listed here, from 35 countries, released between 1975 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, New Zealand. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1078.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1078, L 35737) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1078 (31900-1)-WB-1 • –––◁ and CHR-1078 31901-W1 #1 SIDE 2. 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.
