Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1976
The Best Of Rod Stewart was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SRM-2-7507 A-CP4 RECORD #1 G.K.Side A Etched
SRM-2-7507 B-CP3 RECORD #2 G.K.Side B Etched
SRM-2-7507 C-CP3 RECORD #2 G.K.Side C Etched
SRM-2-7507 D-CP4 RECORD #2 G.K.Side D Etched
SRM-2-7507-ASide A Label
SRM-2-7507-BSide B Label
SRM-2-7507-CSide C Label
SRM-2-7507-DSide D Label
SRM-2-7507 A-CP4 RECORD #1 G.K.Side A Variant 1
SRM-2-7507 B-CP4 RECORD #2 G.K.Side B Variant 1
SRM-2-7507 C-CP3 RECORD #2 G.K.Side C Variant 1
SRM-2-7507 D-CP7 G.K.Side D Variant 1
SRM-2-7507 A-PRC-1-1-111Side A Runout
SRM-2-7507 B-PRC-1-1-111Side B Etched
SRM-2-7507 C-PRC-1-1-111Side C Etched
SRM-2-7507 D-PRC-1-1-111Side D Etched
A-1 ◅ SRM-2-7507 A KeelSide A Runout variant 1
A-1 ◅ SRM-2-7507 B KeelSide B Runout variant 1
A-1 ◅ SRM-2-7507 C KeelSide C Runout variant 1
A-1 ◅ SRM-2-7507 D KeelSide D Runout variant 1
SRM-2-7507 A-CT1 RECORD #1 1T G.K.Side A runout
SRM-2-7507 B-CT7 RECORD #1 1T G.K.Side B runout
SRM-2-7507 C-CT1 RECORD #2 1T G.K.Side C runout
SRM-2-7507 D-CT1 RECORD #2 2T G.K. MASTERDISKSide D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Mercury 6643 030First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 701First yearLP, Compilation, Misprint | LP, Compilation, Misprint |
| 1976 | Canada | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Japan | Mercury SFX-10004-5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Mexico | Mercury LRG 19025First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Mexico | Mercury LRG 19025 / Mercury 6338 694First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Norway | Mercury 6643 030First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Taiwan | 豪華唱片 HV-NLP-3023First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Bolivia | Mercury MRL-34-4 / Mercury MRL - 34-4LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Spain | Mercury 66 43 030 / Mercury 92 86 134LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 535109-8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label 805LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Brazil | Mercury 6338 701LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Mercury MIPD-2-9356LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Mercury MIPD-2-9356LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Mercury 535 110-0LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Netherlands | Mercury 9286 851LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Spain | Mercury 92 86 131LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Mercury PRID 10 / Mercury 6643 030LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-2-7507LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury 826 287-1 M-2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
54 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Rod Stewart are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1976 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-2-7507, released August 19, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-2-7507, 6643 030, SFX-10004-5, LRG 19025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-2-7507 A-CP4 RECORD #1 G.K. and SRM-2-7507 B-CP3 RECORD #2 G.K.. 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.
