Vinyl pressings
by John Mayall · 1973
The Best Of John Mayall was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 4 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.
T1 PD2 3006 A-1DRunout Side A, etched
T1 PD2 3006 B-1DRunout Side B, etched
T1 PD2 3006 C-1D STERLINGRunout Side C, etched [STERLING, stamped]
T1 PD2 3006 D-1DRunout Side D, etched
PD-2-3006-A-IB-I-I 21 STERLING P.R. DA Side
PD-2-3006-B-IB-II-I STERLING P.R. DB Side
PD-2-3006-C-IB-I-I STERLING RL P.R. DC Side
PD-2-3006-A-IB-I-I -10 STERLING RL P.R. DD Side
PD 2 3006 A - 1A STERLING 22Side A runout, etched
PD 2 3006 B - 1A STERLING 22Side B runout, etched
PD 2 3006 C - 1A STERLING 22Side C runout, etched
PD 2 3006 D - 1A STERLING 22Side D runout, etched
PD2-3006 A-1C ^18368 (1)A side etched. STERLING stamped
PD2-3006 B-1C ^18368-X (3)B side etched. STERLING stamped
PD2-3006 C D-1C ^18369 (2)C side etched. STERLING stamped
PD2-3006 D-1C ^18369 - X (1)D side etched. STERLING stamped
PD-23006-A-2 G MSide 1, etched
PD-23006-B G MSide 2, etched
PD-23006-C G MSide 3, etched
PD-23006-D G MSide 4, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Polydor 2672 013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Canada | Polydor PD 2-3006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Japan | Polydor MP9478/9First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD2-3006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 2-3006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD 2-3006 / Polydor PD-2-3006First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Polydor PD2-3006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | Brazil | Polydor 2391 160LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2675 093 / Polydor ALBUM N° 2675 093LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2675 093LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | France | Polydor 2675 093LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | France | Polydor 2675 093LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | France | Polydor 2675 093LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 2-3006LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Polydor PD 2-3006LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of The Best Of John Mayall are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is Polydor PD2-3006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD2-3006, PD 2-3006, 2672 013, MP9478/9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 PD2 3006 A-1D and T1 PD2 3006 B-1D. 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.
