Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1959
Greatest! was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1959, 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.
SU 127A Side Label
SU 128B Side Label
LP - U - 127 SheldonA Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - U - 128 SheldonB Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - U - 127 Sheldon △1912A Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - U - 128 Sheldon △1913B Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - U - 127 Sheldon Δ1912A Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - U - 128 Sheldon Δ1913B Side Etch, except "Sheldon" script stamp
LP - u - 127 SheldonEtched side A except Sheldon stamped
LP - u - 128 SheldonEtched side A except Sheldon stamped
SU-127A Side Label
SU-128B Side Label
LP-U-127Runout Side 1, etched
LP-U-128Runout Side 2, etched
SheldonRunout both sides, stamped
LP-U-127Runout Side A, etched
LP-U-128Runout Side B, etched
SheldonRunout both sides, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Australia | London Records HAA 7578 / London Records HAA - 7578First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Australia | London Records HAA 7578 / London Records HAA-7578First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | Quality V-1649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1959 | Canada | Sun SLP 1240 / London Records SU. 1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | New Zealand | London Records HAM 7578First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP-1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP-1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP-1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP-1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun 1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun 1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun 1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP ; 1240First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | US | Sun DT-91638 / Sun SLP 1240LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1969 | US | Sun SLP 1240LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Get Back GET 7522LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Dol DOS605LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | Dol DOS605HLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | Pan Am Records 9152291LP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited | LP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited |
| 2017 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / ORG Music ORGM-2079LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / ORG Music ORGM-2079LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | US | Sun SLP 1240 / ORG Music ORGM-2079LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2018 | Europe | Sun 1240 / Charly Records SUN SLP 1240LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | ORG Music ORGM-2079 / Sun SLP 1240LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | London Records HAA 7578 / London Records HAA-7578LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Sun SLP 1240 / Sun LP-1240LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
26 vinyl pressings of Greatest! are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1959 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Sun SLP 1240, released January 12, 1959.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLP 1240, HAA 7578, V-1649, HAM 7578) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SU 127 and SU 128. 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.
