Vinyl pressings
by The Hollies · 1968
Hollies' Greatest was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, 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.
XEX 693-1 M 1Side A, stamped Variant 1
XEX 694-1 L 1Side B, stamped Variant 1
XEX 693-1 AG 2Side A, stamped Variant 2
XEX 694-1 RASide B, stamped Variant 2
XEX 693-1Side A, stamped Variant 1
XEX 694-1Side B, stamped Variant 1
(XEX.693)Side A label
(XEX.694)Side B label
YEX 693-1Side A, stamped, variant 1
YEX 694-1Side B, stamped, variant 1
YEX 694-1 M 1Side A, stamped, variant 2
YEX 694-1 G 1Side B, stamped, variant 2
YEX 693 - 1Runout side A, variant 1
YEX 694 - 1Runout side B, variant 1
YEX 693 -1 G MRunout side A, variant 2
YEX 694 -1 GARunout side B, variant 2
XEX 693 - T1 3-9-68Runout side A, etched
XEX 694 - T1 3-9-68Runout side B, etched
YEX 693-1Side A runout
YEX 694-1Side B runout
YEX 693Side A label
YEX 694Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Italy | Parlophone SPMBQ 33010First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Parlophone PCS 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Parlophone PCS 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Parlophone PCS 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Uruguay | Odeon SURL 20534First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | Uruguay | Odeon SURL 20534First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1968 | UK | Parlophone PMC 7057First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | UK | Parlophone PMC 7057First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | South Africa | Parlophone PCSJ 7057LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | UK | Parlophone PMC 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Brazil | Odeon SMOFB 488LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Venezuela | Odeon SOLP-7335LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | South Africa | EMI CEY (A) 217LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | Parlophone CEY (M) 217LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Parlophone PCS 7057LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Venezuela | Odeon SOLP 7335LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
24 vinyl pressings of Hollies' Greatest are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1968 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong and more. One of them is Parlophone PMC 7057, released August 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PMC 7057, PCS 7057, SPMBQ 33010, SURL 20534) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XEX 693-1 M 1 and XEX 694-1 L 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.
