Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1990
The Best Of Van Morrison was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. 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 1990, 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.
8419701 A-1U-1-1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
8̶4̶1̶9̶7̶ 8419701 B-1U-1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
8419701 A-1U-1-2Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
8̶4̶1̶9̶7̶ 8419701 B-1U-1-3Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
422-841 970/AS-REI-SP DMM SP 1-1Side A, etched, variant 1
422-841-970-1-RE-I-BS-SP-DMM SP STERLING DMM-SP 1-1Side B, etched, variant 1
422-841 970-/AS-REI ̶ ̶L̶-SP DMM SP 1-1 STERLING DMM GCSide A, etched, variant 2
422-841-970-1-RE-I-BS-SP-DMM SP STERLING DMM GC 1-1Side B, etched, variant 2
841 970-2 02 >
841-970-1-A SNB230BKVariant 1
841-970-1-B SNB230BKVariant 2
841 970-1A -2Side A runout etching
841 970-1 B JoloSide B runout etching
841 970 1 S1=1 670 04 1110Runout side A, variant 1
841 970 1 S2=1 670 04 118Runout side B, variant 1
841 970 1 S1=1 670 04 1115Runout side A, variant 2
841 970 1 S2=1 670 04 1115Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australasia | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Europe | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1990 | Greece | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Greece | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1990 | South Africa | Polydor STARL 5688First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | South Korea | Mercury RP 2052First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Spain | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221341 / Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221341 / Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Canada | Polydor 841 970-2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Canada | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | UK | Polydor 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1990 | US | Mercury 841 970-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Van Morrison are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Canada, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor 841 970-1, released February 5, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 841 970-1, 841 970-2, STARL 5688, RP 2052) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 8419701 A-1U-1-1 and 8̶4̶1̶9̶7̶ 8419701 B-1U-1-1. 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.
