Vinyl pressings
by Manhattans · 1980
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
AL-36861-2A C PRunout side A, variant 1
BL-36861-1A B PRunout side B, variant 1
P AL 36861-3G 1 PRunout side A, variant 2
BL 36861-1A DRunout side B, variant 2
o AL 36861-1C 1 T D 4Side A runout
o BL 36861-1C 1 T DSide B runout
AL-36861-1KSide 1
BL-36861-1ASide 2
AL-36861-1B-2HZ: DM- 10Side A runout
BL-36861-1B-2HZ: DM- 10Side B runout
AL 36861Side A label
BL 36861Side B label
AL-36861-3G
BL-36861
MX194024Side A label
MX194025Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Asia | Not On Label L398First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237570 / CBS JC36861First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Costa Rica | CBS 100589First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 1946First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | Jamaica | Columbia JC 36861First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1946First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1946First yearLP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1946First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237570First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2589First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36861First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36861First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36861First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia JC 36861First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Korea | CBS/Sony KJPL-0244LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Columbia 138.214LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light BR 315LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Columbia JC 36861 / Columbia C 36861LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Canada, Asia, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36861.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36861, L398, SBP 237570, 100589) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-36861-2A C P and BL-36861-1A B P. 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.
