Vinyl pressings
by Ray Charles · 1966
The Best Of Ray Charles was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SDLP-245-A MONO 31-3 11-65Side A runout, variant 1
SDLP-245-B 31-4 5-68 SDLP-245 BSide B runout, variant 1
SDLP-245A Y 31-5 11-65Side A runout, variant 2
SDLP-245B Y 31-5 11-65Side B runout, variant 2
DLP-245-A MONO 31-3 11-65Side 1 Runout (Etched)
DLP-245-B MONO 31-3 11-65Side 2 Runout (Etched)
SDLP-245 A 31-5 11-65Side A runout
SDLP-245 B 31-5 11-65Side B runout
SDLP-245-ASide A
SDLP-245-A 31-4 S-68Runout Side A, Stamped
SDLP-245 KRunout Side A, Etched
SDLP-245-BSide B
SDLP-245-A MONO 31-3 11-65Side A Runout (all etched)
SDLP-245-B MONO 31-3 11-65Side B Runout (all 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Design Records SDLP-245 / Design Records DLP 245First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | Canada | Design Records DLP 245First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Italy | Belldisc Italiana BD 401First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Design Records DLP 245 / Design Records SDLP-245First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Design Records DLP 245First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Design Records SDLP-245First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Design Records DLP 245 / Design Records SDLP-245First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Design Records DLP 245 / Design Records SDLP-245LP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Triumph Records 2472044LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Cobra Record LG.LP.302LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Napoleon NLP 11012LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Italy | Roman Record Company LPD 4504LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Ray Charles are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1966 and 1968.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada, Italy. One of them is Design Records DLP 245.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DLP 245, SDLP-245, BD 401) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SDLP-245-A MONO 31-3 11-65 and SDLP-245-B 31-4 5-68 SDLP-245 B. 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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