Vinyl pressings
by The Animals · 1971
The Most Of was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
SMFP 5218 A-1 GSide A runout, variant 1
SMFP 5218 B-1 G/ 0A /2Side B runout, variant 1
SMFP 5218 A3 200Side A runout, variant 2
SMFP 5218 B-5 3Side B runout, variant 2
SMFP 5218 A-1 G AM 2Side A runout - Variant 1
SMFP 5218 B-1 G PC ISide B runout - Variant 1
SMFP 5218 A-1 G CG 2Side A runout - Varíant 2
SMFP 5218 B-1 G PC ISide B runout - Varíant 2
SMFP 5218 A-1 GRunout A [Stamped]
SMFP 5218 B-3 GRunout B [Stamped]
SMFP 5218 ASide A label
SMFP 5218 BSide B label
SMFP 5218 A-1 G RT 1Side A runout stamped variant 1
SMFP 5218 B-1 G AT 2Side B runout stamped variant 1
SMFP 5218 A-1 G T D 7Side A runout stamped variant 2
SMFP 5218 B-3 G GH 7Side B runout stamped variant 2
SMFP 5218 A-1 6Runout side A, variant 1
SMFP 5218 B-3 6Runout side B, variant 1
SMFP 5218 A-1 GRunout side A, variant 2
SMFP 5218B-3 GRunout side B, variant 2 (B as uppercase)
SMFP 5218 A-1 GVariant 1 Side A runout stamped
SMFP 5218 B-1 GVariant 1 Side B runout stamped
SMFP 5218 ASide A label
SMFP 5218 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Netherlands | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Sweden | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Sweden | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1972 | Australia | Axis AXIS6004LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 056-1946031LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Mexico | EMI POPS POP-806LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Axis AX.701292LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Axis AX.1105 / Axis AX-1105LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Colombia | EMI 11001471LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Music For Pleasure 062-1946031 / EMI 062-1946031LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218 / Music For Pleasure SMFP 5218LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Music For Pleasure MFP 5218LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
22 vinyl pressings of The Most Of are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1971 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and more. One of them is Music For Pleasure MFP 5218.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MFP 5218) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMFP 5218 A-1 G and SMFP 5218 B-1 G/ 0A /2. 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.
