Vinyl pressings
by UB40 · 1987
The Best Of UB40 (Volume One) was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
UBTV 1 A - 1 - 1 - 7A side runout, variant 1
UBTV 1 B - 1 - 1 - 7B side runout, variant 1
D UBTV 1 A - 1 - 1 - 4 .A side runout, variant 2
D UBTV 1 B - 1 - 1 - 5 - TCB side runout, variant 2
UBTV 1-A-4 MX307879Runout side A
UBTV 1B-4 MX307880Runout side B
DM 208717 A-1/10-87Runout side A, stamped
DM 208717 B-1/9-87Runout side B, stamped
S 208 717 ALabel side A
S 208 717 BLabel side B
DM208717 A 2 IIRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
DM208717 B-2/7-88 VRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
009 DM208717 A 2 IIRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
DM208717 B-2/7-88 IVRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Virgin 50013First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | DEP International UBTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | DEP International 208 717-630 / DEP International 208 717First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | DEP International 208 717-630 / DEP International 208 717First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Greece | DEP International V.G. 50442 / DEP International VG 50442First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Israel | DEP International UBTV 1 / Helicon Records UBTV 1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin UBTV1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Venezuela | Virgin 1579First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | DEP International 208 717-630 / Virgin 208 717-630LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1989 | Israel | Helicon Records UBTV1 / DEP International UBTV1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Virgin 427109 1 / Virgin 066 427109 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Africa | Virgin VNC 5193LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Korea | EMI / Kemongsa Music Ltd. VKPL-0063LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Zimbabwe | Virgin VNC 5193LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Zimbabwe | Virgin VNC 5193LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1994 | Colombia | EMI 11001606LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Virgin SLEM-1623LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of The Best Of UB40 (Volume One) are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1987 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is Virgin UBTV1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UBTV1, UBTV 1, 208 717-630, V.G. 50442) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UBTV 1 A - 1 - 1 - 7 and UBTV 1 B - 1 - 1 - 7. 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.
