Vinyl pressings
by The Beatles · 1972
The Essential Beatles was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
YAPAX 1071-3Side A runout Variant 1
YAPAX 1072-2 CPSide B runout Variant 1
YAPAX1071-3BSide A runout, etched, Variant 2
YAPAX.1072.2 CQSide B runout, etched, Variant 2
YAPAX 1071-3Side 1 Runout, variant 1
YAPAX 1072-2 CPSide 2 Runout, variant 1
YAPAX1071–3CSide 1 Runout, variant 2
YAPAX 1072 · 2C CPSide 1 Runout, variant 2
YAPAX 1071-3Side 1 Runout
YAPAX 1072-2 CPSide 2 Runout
YAPAX 1071-3BSide 1 Runout Variant 2
YAPAX 1072-2B CPSide 2 Runout Variant 2
YAPAX 1071 - 3CSide A Runout etched Variant 1
YAPAX 1072 - 2CSide B Runout etched Variant 1
YAPAX 1071 - 3CSide A Runout etched Variant 2
TVSS 8 YAPAX1072-3Side B Runout stamped Variant 2
YAPAX 1071-3Side A runout
YAPAX 1071.2Side B runout
YAPAX.1071.ASide A label
YAPAX.1072.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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | New Zealand | Apple Records TVSS 8First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1979 | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Parlophone TVSS8 / Parlophone TVSS-8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Australia | EMI Gift.1 / Parlophone TVSS8LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Apple Records TVSS8 / Apple Records TVSS-8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Apple Records TVSS 8LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | New Zealand | Apple Records TVSS 8LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Essential Beatles are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1972 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Australia, New Zealand. One of them is Apple Records TVSS8, released February 2, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TVSS8, TVSS 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAPAX 1071-3 and YAPAX 1072-2 CP. 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.
