Vinyl pressings
by Roberta Flack · 1981
The Best Of Roberta Flack was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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-814781-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM1-7Runout A etched [Var 1]
ST-A 814782-C @tGP SP 0-1 SM1-3Runout B etched [Var 1]
ST-A-814781-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM2-1Runout A etched [Var 2]
ST-A-814782-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM2-1Runout B etched [Var 2]
ST-A-814781-C @t GP B-16212-CRunout Side A [Etched]
ST-A-814782-C @t GP B-16213-CRunout Side B [Etched]
ST-A-814781-ARLabel Side A
ST-A-814782-ARLabel Side A
R/S Alsdorf 50840 AX STRAWBERRY (G)Side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 50840 B2 STRAWBERRY (G)Side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 50840 A Ø STRAWBERRY (G)Side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 50840 B2 STRAWBERRY (G) GBSide B, variant 2
P-6483A1 3 K1 P 1-A-2Side A
P-6483A2 1-A-ASide B
P-6483A1Side A (label)
P-6483A2Side B (label)
Å MX199517-C SD19317-1Runout SIde 1 etched
Å MX199518-B SD19317-2Runout Side 2 etched
MX199517Side 1 Printed Label
MX199518Side 2 Printed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic SD 19317First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Australia | Atlantic ATC 9786First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | Atlantic 20.068First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19317First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19317First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19317First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XSD 19317First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Colombia | Atlantic 23(7031)00273First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Atlantic LP-73026First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | Atlantic ATL 50 840First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 50 840 / Atlantic SD 19317First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Atlantic 50840First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | Atlantic 50840First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1981 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 50840First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Atlantic SD 19317First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Atlantic 670-8141LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1991 | Brazil | Atlantic 670.8141LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1991 | South Korea | Della Records HSR-9026LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1992 | South Korea | Hee Jee Records & Trading Co., Ltd. HJLR-0055LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1993 | Brazil | Atlantic 719317-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | US | Atlantic RCV1 19317LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Atlantic SD 19317LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 840 / Atlantic K 50 840LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 840 / Atlantic K 50 840LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic ATL K 50 840 / Atlantic K 50 840LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | Greece | Atlantic 781581-1 / Atlantic 756-781581-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Atlantic SD 19317LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Spain | Atlantic 50840LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Atlantic SD 19317LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
47 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Roberta Flack are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1981 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Atlantic SD 19317.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 19317, K 50840, ATL K 50 840, P-6483A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-814781-C @t GP SP 0-1 SM1-7 and ST-A 814782-C @tGP SP 0-1 SM1-3. 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.
