Vinyl pressings
by Showaddywaddy · 1978
Greatest Hits 1976 - 1978 was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ARTV 1 A//4 ETO 1 2 11 2 BOPPA'S FROM BILBO!Side A runout variant 1
ARTV 1 B//2 ETO 15 BILBOSide B runout variant 1
ARTV 1 A//4 ETO 1 2 2 C 2 9 BOPPAS FROM BILBO!Side A runout variant 2
ARTV1 B//3 ETO 1 2 2 BILBOSide B runout variant 2
ARTV-1-A4 BILBOHand Etched Runout, Side A
ARTV-1-B3 BILBOHand Etched Runout, Side B
∧Stamped Runout, Side A
13 ∴Stamped Runout, Side B
62050 A-2Side A runout
62050 B-1Side B runout
ARTV 1 A//5 E TOSide A runout, stamped
BOPPA'S FROM BILBO!Side A runout, etched
ARTV 1 B//1 E TO 1 5 LSide B runout, stamped
BILBOSide B runout, etched
7C 062 62050 A ASide A runout
7C 062 62050 B ASide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-62 050 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 050First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Ireland | Arista ARTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Arista ARTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Sweden | Arista 7C 062-62050First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | Arista ARTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | Arista ARTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Japan | Arista 25RS-10LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Arista 25RS-10LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Netherlands | Killroy KSP 16999 KLLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Strand 6.24 332LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Scandinavia | Arista ARTV 1 / Arista TC-ARTV 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits 1976 - 1978 are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong and more. One of them is Arista ARTV 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARTV 1, 1C 064-62 050, 7C 062-62050) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARTV 1 A//4 ETO 1 2 11 2 BOPPA'S FROM BILBO! and ARTV 1 B//2 ETO 15 BILBO. 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.
