Vinyl pressings
by The Dave Clark Five · 1978
25 Thumping Great Hits 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
POLTV7 A//4 UT 12 9 ƱRunout side A, variant 1
POLTV7 B//3 UT 14 3 ƱRunout side B, variant 1
POLTV7 A//4 UTRunout side A, variant 2
POLTV7 B//4 UTRunout side B, variant 2
POLTV7 A//6▽E420 1 1 3 RCRunout side A
POLTV7 B//6▽E420 1 1 3Runout side B
Ǻ MX199685 2489140A-1Side 1 [stamped]
MX199686 2489140A-2Side 2 [stamped]
2383 492 S 1 3 20 1 ERunout side A stamped
2383 492 S 2 3 20 1 DRunout side B stamped
POLTV7 A//4 UT 1 2 9 Lyre symbol[etched]Runout side A, variant 1, stamped
POLTV7 B//3 UT 1 4 3 Lyre symbol[etched]Runout side B, variant 1, stamped
POLTV7 A//4 UTRunout side A, variant 2, stamped
POLTV7 B//4 UTRunout side B, variant 2, stamped
POLTV7 A//3 UT 15 Lyre symbolRunout side A
POLTV7 B//4 UT 5 Lyre symbolRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Polydor 2489 140First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2383 492First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor POLTV 7First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Ireland | Polydor POLTV 7First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Philippines | Polydor POLTV-7/1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | South Africa | Polydor CESS 22First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 492First yearLP, Compilation, Mono, Stereo · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor POLTV 7First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1978 | UK | Polydor POLTV 7First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1979 | South Africa | Polydor LSS 162LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Polydor 2475 663LP, Compilation, Mono, Stereo · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono, Stereo · Mono |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 24 86 212LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Norway | Polydor 2383 492LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | Polydor POLTV 7LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
14 vinyl pressings of 25 Thumping Great Hits are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1978 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Polydor POLTV 7, released February 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLTV 7, 2489 140, 2383 492, POLTV-7/1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLTV7 A//4 UT 12 9 Ʊ and POLTV7 B//3 UT 14 3 Ʊ. 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.
