Vinyl pressings
by Ray Charles · 1970
The Best Of Ray Charles 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.
13 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-A-69177-B LW AT OB WRunout side 1 (etched)
ST-A-69178-BLW AT OB WRunout side 2 (etched)
ST-A-69177 C1-1 AT OB PR W(Variant 2) Runout side A (etched)
ST-A-69178-DDD-1+A1G1 REC(Variant 2) Runout side A (etched)
S T A691777-1B CTH TSide A, Stamped
ST A691778-1A 2 CTH TSide B, Stamped
ST-A-691777-MOA-side label, in parentheses
ST-A-691778-MOB-side label, in parentheses
ST-A-691777-B BMO-RE LW AT 14307 WSide One
ST-A-691778-B B-MO-RE LW AT 14307-X WSide Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Canada | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Canada | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Germany | Atlantic SD 1543 / Atlantic ATL-SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | Italy | Atlantic SD 1543 / Atlantic ATS ST 05518First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Atlantic SAL-933722First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | South Africa | Atlantic ATL 1040First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9221First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Atlantic SD 1543First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atlantic SD 1543LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 40056 / Atlantic SD 1543LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1543LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1543LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1543LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 1543 / Atlantic (ST-A-691777RI)LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Ray Charles are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 1543.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 1543, SAL-933722, ATL 1040, ATC 9221) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-69177-B LW AT OB W and ST-A-69178-BLW AT OB W. 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.
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