Vinyl pressings
by The Human League · 1988
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 18 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.
HLTV 1 A-1U-1- D Town House Dmm.Machine stamped/etched runout, side A, variant 1
HLTV 1 B-3U-1- DMachine stamped runout, side B, variant 1
HLTV 1 A-2U-1- DMachine stamped runout, side A, variant 2
HLTV 1 B-2U-1- D TOWN HOUSE Dmm.Machine stamped/etched runout, side B, variant 2
HLTV 1 A-1U-1- 1Machine Stamped Runout Side A
HLTV 1 B-1U-1-Machine Stamped Runout Side B
Town House Dmm.Hand-etched Runout Side A
HLTV 1 A-2U-1-3 DMachine Stamped Side A
TOWN HOUSE D.M.M.Hand-etched Side A
HLTV 1 B-1U-5 DMachine Stamped Side B
TOWN HOUSE D.M.M.Hand-etched runout side B, variant 2
HLTV1-ARunout etched side A
HLTV1-BRunout etched side B
HLTV 1-AMatrix label side A
HLTV 1-BMatrix label side B
SP05227 - A - ES - 1 [Trumpet logo] EMWSide A runout
SP05227 - B - ES - 1 EMW [Trumpet logo]Side B runout
SP-05227-ASide A label
SP-05227-BSide B label
<P4 MP> SP- 5227 A - GIA GISide A Runout Etched
<P4 MP> SP- 5227 B - GIA GISide B Runout Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Virgin TLP-90163First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Australia | Virgin HLTV1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Brazil | Virgin 066 427022 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | Virgin Records Ltd. VL 3049First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5227LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Virgin 209 375 / Virgin 209 375-630First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Virgin VG-50401First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | Virgin HLTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | New Zealand | Virgin HTLV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Philippines | Virgin VAL-89-6007First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Virgin 605491First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5131First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Spain | Virgin LL-209 375First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | US | A&M Records SP 5227 / Virgin SP 5227First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | US | A&M Records R-100832LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
26 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Ireland, Israel and more. One of them is Virgin HLTV 1, released October 31, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HLTV 1, HLTV1, SP 5227, SP-5227) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HLTV 1 A-1U-1- D Town House Dmm. and HLTV 1 B-3U-1- D. 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.
