Vinyl pressings
by Strawbs · 1978
The Best Of Strawbs 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.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
AMLM 66005 A1 C Λ A&M SP 19023 MI·· △23530 ENGLAND wSide A runout
AMLM 66005 B1 4 Λ A&M SP-19024-MI △23530-X ENGLAND wSide B runout
AMLM 66005 C1 C Λ AM SP 19025 MI· △̶2̶3̶5̶3̶0̶-̶X̶ △23531 ENGLAND wSide C runout
AMLM 66005 D1 C Λ AM SP 19026 MI·· △23531-X ENGLAND wSide D runout
AMLM 66005 A//2△ 420T 1 1Side A runout stamped
AMLM 66005 B5 1 1 1Side B runout etched
AMLM 66005 C-2 1 1 1Side C runout etched
AMLM 66005 D5 1 1Side D runout etched
AMSP 19023 M2 MR ◃ 23530Runout side 1
AMSP 19024 M3 MR ◃ 23530-X <1>Runout side 2
AMSP 19025 ̶I̶N̶T̶ M4 (MR) ◃ 23531 <4>Runout side 3
AMSP 19026 M3 MR ◃ 23531-X <1>Runout side 4
T1 AMSP 19023 T4· A 1Side A runout
T1 AMSP-19024- T1 19024Side B runout
T1 AM SP 19025 T2· A4Side C runout
T1 AMSP 19026 T2· A 3 \Side D runout
AM SP 19023 P1· A2 PSide A runout
A&M SP-19024-P2 A PSide B runout
A&M SP 19025 P1· A PSide C runout
AM SP 19026 P2· A PSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-6005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-6005 / A&M Records SP 96005LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP 6005First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-6005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLM 66005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLM 66005First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLM 66005First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 6005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 6005First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 6005LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 6005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 6005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | A&M Records L-45821LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-9-6005LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP-96005 / A&M Records SP 96005LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
15 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Strawbs are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is A&M Records AMLM 66005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLM 66005, SP 6005, SP-6005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLM 66005 A1 C Λ A&M SP 19023 MI·· △23530 ENGLAND w and AMLM 66005 B1 4 Λ A&M SP-19024-MI △23530-X ENGLAND 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.
