Vinyl pressings
by T. Rex · 1973
Great Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 9 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.
BLN 5003 A-1 GP 2Variant 1 side A runout, stamped
BLN 5003 B-1 AO 1Variant 1 side B runout, stamped
BLN 5003 A-2 L 1Variant 2 side A runout, stamped
BLN 5003 B-2 GR 2Variant 2 side B runout, stamped
7TX-1625Side A runout hand etched
7TX-1626Side B runout hand etched
BLN-5003.A. YTX-1625Side A, Runout
BLN-5003-B YTX-1626Side B, Runout
BLN 5003 A-1
BLN 5003 B-1
BLN 5003 ASide A
BLN 5003 BSide B
94744 - A - 1-10-73 IRunout side A
94744 - B - 1-10-73 IRunout side B
94744 - A - 1-10-73 IEtching side A
94744 - B - 1-10-73 IEtching side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Denmark | EMI BLN 5003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Greece | EMI BLN 5003LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Greece | EMI BLN 5003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Italy | T. Rex 3 C062-94744 / T. Rex 3C 062 - 94744First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | T. REX 3 C062 - 94744 / T. REX 3C 062 - 94744First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80930LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1973 | New Zealand | T. REX BLN 5003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong & Thailand | T. REX BLN 5003 / T. REX 0C 062 ◦ 94744First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | South Africa | T. REX BLN(D) 5003First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Venezuela | EMI BLN-3001First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Australia | T. REX BLN. 5003 / T. REX BLN-5003First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | T. REX BLN 5003 / T. REX 0C 062 ○ 94744First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Odeon EOP-80930LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1974 | Venezuela | EMI BLN-3001LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSEMI 70591 / EMI LSEMI 70591LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI 11824LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5061LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | T. Rex SP20-5061LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | Imperial Records TEJI-33003LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Odeon EOP-80930LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, White Label · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, White Label · Promo |
21 vinyl pressings of Great Hits are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1973 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Australia, Denmark, Greece and more. One of them is T. REX BLN 5003, released November 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLN 5003, BLN. 5003, 3 C062-94744, 3 C062 - 94744) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLN 5003 A-1 GP 2 and BLN 5003 B-1 AO 1. 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.
