Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1985
Hits 3 - The Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
31_00003_1A_1 ASide A runout, stamped
31_00003_3B_1 ASide B runout, stamped
31_00003_2C_1 ASide C runout, stamped
31_00003_1D_1 ASide D runout, stamped
HITS.3-A-3 43 7Runout side A - variant 1
HITS-3-B1 4 0 ARunout side B - variant 1
HITS-3-C-1 33 DRunout side C - variant 1
HITS-3-D 3 0 ARunout side D - variant 1
HITS.3-Axx3 R/S Alsdorf ()Runout side A
N BE R/S Alsdorf Hits-3 B 3 19Runout side B
HITS.3-C BE R/S Alsdorf () 4Runout side C
R/S Alsdorf Hits-3 D4 21Runout side D
CBS 240 820-1 A1Runout Side A (etched)
CBS 240 820-1 - B1Runout Side B (etched)
CBS 240 820-1 C2Runout Side C (etched)
CBS 240 820-1 DRunout Side D (etched)
HITS.3-AHand Etched Runout, Side A - Variant 1
HITS-3-BHand Etched Runout, Side B - Variant 1
HITS-3-CHand Etched Runout, Side C - Variant 1
HITS-3-DHand Etched Runout, Side D - Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | CBS 240 820-1 / WEA 240 820-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS HITS 3 / WEA Records HITS 3LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS HITS 3 / WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS HITS 3 / WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Israel | WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS HITS-3 / WEA HITS-3First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | CBS HITS 3 / WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1985 | UK | WEA HITS 3First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS HITS 3 / WEA Records HITS 3First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
10 vinyl pressings of Hits 3 - The Album are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Greece, Germany, Austria, & Switzerland, Ireland and more. One of them is WEA HITS 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HITS 3, 240 820-1, HITS-3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 31_00003_1A_1 A and 31_00003_3B_1 A. 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.
Saturday Night Fever (The Original Movie Sound Track)
1977 · 218 pressings
Grease (The Original Soundtrack From The Motion Picture)
1978 · 196 pressings
Jesus Christ Superstar
1970 · 165 pressings
Jesus Christ Superstar (The Original Motion Picture Sound Track Album)
1973 · 126 pressings
Woodstock - Music From The Original Soundtrack And More
1970 · 199 pressings
Easy Rider (Music From The Soundtrack)
1969 · 134 pressings
