Vinyl pressings
by Tom Jones · 1974
20 Greatest Hits 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.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
XZAL-13593.P-2W HG 1Side A runout variant 1
XZAL-13594.P-2W KN 3CSide B runout variant 1
XZAL-13595.P-2W NG 1Side C runout variant 1
XZAL-13596.P-1W AU 1Side D runout variant 1
XZAL-13593.P-1W CC 2DStamped Runout, Side A
XZAL-13594.P-1W UD 1Stamped Runout, Side B
XZAL-13595.P-2W NU 1Stamped Runout, Side C
XZAL-13596.P-2W NH 2DStamped Runout, Side D
XZAL-13593.P-2W IM 2DStamped Runout, Side A
XZAL-13594.P-1W A 1Stamped Runout, Side B
XZAL-13595.P-1W HK 7CStamped Runout, Side C
XZAL-13596.P-2W HI 2DStamped Runout, Side D
XZAL-13595.P-2W IH 1Stamped runout, side C
XZAL-13596.P-2W DHU 1Stamped runout, side D
XZAL-13593.P-1W HH 7ESide A stamped runout
XZAL-13594.P-1W H1 2DSide B stamped runout
XZAL-13595.P-2W HG 1Side C stamped runout
XZAL-13596.P-1W AU 1Side D stamped runout
XZAL-13593.P-1W 1Side A runout
XZAL-13594.P-2W 1Side B runout
XZAL-13595.P-1W 1Side C runout
XZAL-13596.P-2W 1Side C runout
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 | Australia | Decca TJD-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Decca 278.501 / Decca 278.502First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | France | Decca 278.501/502First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Decca TJD 1/1 / Decca TJD 1/2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1974 | UK | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2 / Decca TJD 1/1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK & Europe | Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1974 | Venezuela | Parrot PAS-71070 / Parrot PAS-71071First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Canada | Tee Vee Records Inc. TA-1033LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Canada | Tee Vee Records Inc. TA-1033LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | Canada | Tee Vee Records Inc. TA-1033LP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo | LP, Compilation, White Label, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Decca 6.28335 DPLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Belgium | Decca BOX 730/31- / Decca BOX 730 YLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
25 vinyl pressings of 20 Greatest Hits are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK & Europe, UK, Australia, France and more. One of them is Decca TJD 1/1 & 1/2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TJD 1/1 & 1/2, TJD-2, 278.501, 278.501/502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL-13593.P-2W HG 1 and XZAL-13594.P-2W KN 3C. 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.
