Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1989
Level Best was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 10 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.
LEVTV 1 A-1U-1-6 DRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
LEVTV 1 B-1U-1-5 DRunout, side B, stampede variant 1
LEVTV 1 A-1U-1-6 DRunout, side A, stamped, variant 2
LEVTV 1 B-1U-1-4 DRunout, side B, stampede variant 2
LEVTV 1 A-1U-1- 5 DRunout, side A, stamped
LEVTV 1 B-1U-1- 2 DRunout, side B, stamped
TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side A & B, etched
LEVTV 1 A-1U-1-Runout, side A, stamped
LEVTV 1 B-1U-1-Runout, side B, stamped
TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, side A & B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Brazil | Polydor 8413991First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Canada | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Europe | Polydor 841 399-1 / Polydor LEVTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Greece | Polydor 841 399-1 / Polydor 841399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Greece | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1989 | Netherlands | Polydor LEVTV 1 / Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Portugal | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Spain | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | UK | Polydor LEVTV 1 / Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | UK | Polydor LEVTV 1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1989 | US | Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | US | Polydor 422 841 399-1First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Polydor LEVTV 1 / Polydor 841 399-1First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | Polydor 841 399-1LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Colombia | Polydor 841399-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | Polydor 841 399-1 / Polydor LEVTV 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
17 vinyl pressings of Level Best are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is Polydor LEVTV 1, released November 6, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LEVTV 1, 841 399-1, 422 841 399-1, 8413991) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LEVTV 1 A-1U-1-6 D and LEVTV 1 B-1U-1-5 D. 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.
