US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4253
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Terre Haute Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A+M SP4405-7 B1 T 1Runout A
A+M SP4406 (RE-1) -7 B3 T 1Runout A
SP-4405Label A
SP-4406Label B
Vinyl pressings
Greatest Hits
by Phil Ochs · 1970
20 pressings5 countriesFolk RockRock & RollRock
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Greatest Hits
11 pressings came out in 1970, 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.
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 4253
- Format
- LP, Album · Santa Maria Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A+M SP 4405-1 PX C4 SSide A, etched, exc. 'PX C4'
A+M SP 4406 (RE-1)-2 PX C1 SSide B, etched, exc. 'PX C1'
SP-4405Side A, label
SP-4406Side B, label
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4253A&M Records SP 4253
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP 4405-15 [MR logo] △14357 ①Runout A
A&M SP 4406(RE-1)-15 [MR logo] △14357-X ②Runout B
SP-4405Label A
SP-4406Label B
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 4253
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A+M SP4405-1 A 3 PSide A runout, variant 1
A+M SP4406(RE-1)-2 A 7 PSide B runout, variant 1
P A&M SP 4405-1 A 3Side A runout, variant 2
P A&M SP4406(RE-1)-2 A 3Side B runout, variant 2
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP 4253
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP4405-15 [MR logo] △14357 3Runout A
A&M SP4406(RE-1)-15 [MR logo] △14357-X 2Runout B
SP-4405Label A
SP-4406Label B
US
1970- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4253
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A+M SP4406(RE-1)-15 [MR logo] △14357-X2Runout A
A+M SP4405-15 [MR logo] △14357Runout B
SP-4405Label A
SP-4406Label B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s12 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Italy | A&M Records SLAM 47006First yearLP | LP |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP-4253First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP-4253LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP-4253First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP-4253 / A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records SP 4253First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 973First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Pickwick SPC-3735LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Pickwick SPC-3735LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP 3125LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP 3125LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Edsel Records ED 201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4253 / A&M Records SP-4253LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 4253LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | USA & Canada | A&M Records SP 3125LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1One Way Ticket Home2:39
- A2Jim Dean Of Indiana5:02
- A3My Kingdom For A Car2:50
- A4Boy In Ohio3:45
- A5Gas Station Woman3:35
- B1Chords Of Fame3:32
- B2Ten Cents A Coup3:15
- B3Bach, Beethoven, Mozart & Me5:05
- B4Basket In The Pool3:40
- B5No More Songs4:33
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1970 and 1986.
When was Greatest Hits first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Canada, Italy. One of them is A&M Records SP-4253.
How do I tell if my copy of Greatest Hits is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4253, SP 4253, AMLS 973, SLAM 47006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP4405-7 B1 T 1 and A+M SP4406 (RE-1) -7 B3 T 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Greatest Hits on vinyl worth?
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.
