Vinyl pressings
by John Denver · 1984
Greatest Hits (Volume 3) was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
AJL1 • 5313 • A 5S MASTERDISK BK I A2 DSide A runout
AJL1 • 5313 • B • 1 MASTERDISK BK I A 3 6Side B runout
AJL1-5313-ASide A label
AJL1-5313-BSide B label
AJLI 5313ASide A label
AJLI 5313BSide B label
AJL1-5313-A JW MCP (CR)Runout side A
AJL1-5313-B (CR)Runout side B
AJL1-5313-AMatrix on label side A
AJL1-5313-BMatrix on label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Starcall Victor SFL1-0113First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Australia | Starcall Records SFL1-0113 / Starcall Records SFL10113First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | RCA AJL1-5313First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Philippines | RCA XFPLI-1171 (AJL1-5313)First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1984 | South Africa | RCA ML 4785First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | South Korea | RCA JRPL-3357First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA Victor PL-85313LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | RCA Victor AJL1-5313 / RCA AJL1-5313First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | Zimbabwe | RCA ML 4785First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Argentina | RCA Victor TLP-60132LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PL85313LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPL-8284LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Peru | RCA Victor PN-RCA 0060132.8LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits (Volume 3) are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia, Canada, Philippines and more. One of them is RCA Victor AJL1-5313.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AJL1-5313, SFL1-0113, XFPLI-1171 (AJL1-5313), ML 4785) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AJL1 • 5313 • A 5S MASTERDISK BK I A2 D and AJL1 • 5313 • B • 1 MASTERDISK BK I A 3 6. 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.
