Vinyl pressings
by Midnight Star · 1987
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
SP 0-1 ST-1-72557 F-2 QB-28838-F2 △ 17933 MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout Side A
SP 0-1 ST-2-72557 F-2 QB-28839-F2 △ 17933-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRunout Side B
(ST-1-72557)Label Side A
(ST-2-72557)Label Side B
SOLLP 3612 ASide 1 Label
SOLLP 3612 BSide 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Belgium | Solar SOLLP 3612First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | France | Solar 540158 / Vogue 540158First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Germany | Solar INT 146.013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | US | Solar ST-72557First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | US | Solar PZ 75304 / Epic PZ 75304First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Solar SOLAR 22004LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Japan | Solar VIL-28115LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Zafiro 30312287LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canada | Unidisc SPLP 7114All Media, Record Store Day, Compilation, Reissue, LP, LP · Colored vinyl | All Media, Record Store Day, Compilation, Reissue, LP, LP · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Solar SRC-91001 / Solar SRC 91001LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Belgium, France, Germany. One of them is Solar ST-72557.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-72557, PZ 75304, SOLLP 3612, 540158) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 0-1 ST-1-72557 F-2 QB-28838-F2 △ 17933 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally and SP 0-1 ST-2-72557 F-2 QB-28839-F2 △ 17933-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally. 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.
