Vinyl pressings
by The Supremes · 1977
20 Golden Greats was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
EMTV 5 A-1 BLAIR'SSide 1, stamped, etched variant 1
EMTV 5 B-2 BLAIR'SSide 2, stamped, etched variant 1
EMTV 5 A-1 MM 1 BLAIR'SSide 1, stamped, etched variant 2
EMTV 5 B-2 LP 4 BLAIR'SSide 2, stamped, etched variant 2
EMTV 5 A-1 T 1 ( BLAIR'S etched )Side A stamped, Variant 1
EMTV 5 B-2 R D 7 ( BLAIR'S etched )Side B stamped, Variant 1
EMTV 5 A-2 ( BLAIR'S etched )Side A stamped, Variant 2
EMTV 5 B-3 ( BLAIRS etched )Side B stamped, Variant 2
EMT V5 A-5 Made in Germany 020 BLAIR'SRunout A-side, variant 1
EMT V5 B-6 Made in Germany 020Runout B-side, variant 1
EMT V5 A-5 111 Made in Germany 020 BLAIR'SRunout A-side, variant 2
EMT V5 B-5 11 Made in Germany 020Runout B-side, variant 2
EMTV 5 A-2 R H R BLAIR'S 6Side 1, stamped, blair's is etched
EMTV 5 B-3 R O OSide 2, stamped
EMTV 5ASide 1 runout
EMTV 5BSide 2 runout
EMTV-5ASide 1 label
EMTV-5BSide 2 label
EMT Y 5 ARunout, A-side, stamped
EMT Y 5 BRunout, B-side, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Motown M.1001 / Motown M-1001First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Motown EMTV 5 / Motown EMTV5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | India | Tamla Motown SETML 20First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Ireland | Motown EMTV 5LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Motown EMTV 5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Philippines | Motown MLP 2748First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Portugal | Motown IM-46.006First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Motown 7C 062-99279First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Motown EMTV-5 / Motown EMTV5First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | Motown 25608-IFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Motown EMTV5 / Motown 0C 062-99 279First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Motown EMTV5 / Motown EMTV 5First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | UK | Motown EMTV 5 / Motown EMTV5First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Motown EMTV5 / Motown 0C 062-99 279First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Trent ADEH 46LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Spain | Motown SPL 1-60017LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Europe | Motown ZL 72009 / Motown MTV 5LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Motown EMTV1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK & Europe | Motown ZL 72009 / Motown MTV 5LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Motown EMTV 5LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Australia | Motown M 1001 / Motown M-01001LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Australia | Motown M 1001LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Motown 72016LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Motown MFL 2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Motown MTV 5LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Motown EMTV 5LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of 20 Golden Greats are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1977 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Australia, Greece, India and more. One of them is Motown EMTV5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMTV5, EMTV 5, M.1001, SETML 20) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMTV 5 A-1 BLAIR'S and EMTV 5 B-2 BLAIR'S. 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.
