Vinyl pressings
by The Move · 1974
The Best Of The Move was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. 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 1974, 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.
A&M-SP 3649-P1 V : A̶&̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶7̶ ̶P̶1̶Runout side A, variant 1
A&M SP 3650-P1 P A̶&̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶8̶ ̶P̶1̶Runout side B, variant 1
A&M SP 3651-P1 P A̶&̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶9̶ ̶P̶1̶ V2Runout side C, variant 1
P A&M SP 3652 P2 :Runout side D, variant 1
A&M-SP-3̶5̶5̶7̶ M1 3649 (MR) △18240 (1)Runout A etch / (MR) stamped
A&M-SP-3650-M1 A&M S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶8̶ M1 (MR) △18240-X (2)Runout B etch / (MR) stamped
A&M SP-3651-M1 A&M S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶9̶ M1 (MR) △18241 (1)Runout C etch / (MR) stamped
A&M- SP-3652-M1 A&M S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶6̶0̶ M1 (MR) △18241-X (2)Runout D etch / (MR) stamped
1T A&M SP [scratched out] T1 3649Runout, Side A
1T A&M SP [scratched out] T1 3650 VRunout, Side B
T1 A&M SP [scratched out] T2 3651 VRunout, Side C
1T A&M SP [scratched out] T-1 3652 . B bRunout, Side D
A&M-SP-3649-M1 A̶&̶M̶-̶S̶P̶-̶3̶5̶5̶7̶ ̶M̶1̶ (MR) △18240(1)Runout A
A&M SP 3̶5̶5̶8̶ M1 3650 (MR) v △18240-X(2)Runout B
A&M SP 3̶5̶5̶9̶ M1 3651 (MR) v △18241(2)Runout C
A&M SP 3̶5̶6̶0̶ M1 3652 (MR) △18241-X(1)Runout D
A+M SP 3557 P1 A+M SP 3649-P1Side A etched A+M SP 3557 P is scratched out
A+M SP 3558 P1 A+M SP 3650-P1Side B etched A+M SP 3558 P is scratched out
A+M SP 3559 P1 A+M SP 3651-P1Side C etched A+M SP 3559 P1 is scratched out
A+M SP 3652 P2Side D 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625LP, Album, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1974 | US | A&M Records SP-3625First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GXG 1026/27 / A&M Records SP 3625LP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | A&M Records GXG 1026/27 / A&M Records SP 3625LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Move are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1974 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada. One of them is A&M Records SP-3625, released May 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3625) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M-SP 3649-P1 V : A̶&̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶7̶ ̶P̶1̶ and A&M SP 3650-P1 P A̶&̶M̶ ̶S̶P̶ ̶3̶5̶5̶8̶ ̶P̶1̶. 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.
