How can I tell what version of an LP is best ?

Or you can ask Tom Port. He rates the Lp's and sells them ---> Hot Stamper

Discogs.com is a good place to search the printing history of a record.

Saki70 said: "Unfortunatly , I am not the only one seeking this info ! Trying to locate one of these primo copies is quite difficult if not impossible . And when one is available , it can be priced into the stratosphere !"

This is exactly why I am not a "collector." I refuse to pay ridiculous prices. Am I missing out on some really good sounding recordings? Probably. But almost always, there is a cheaper pressing available of the same exact recording, so one does not have to miss a great performance, and IMO, that is MUCH more important. And many times you can find them at reasonable prices, so it is good to be aware of which ones are the best.

Why is someone's opinion of record quality anymore valid than someone's opinion about a component's sound quality? Does anyone really take Stereophile's class A/B/C/D grading seriously? A record gradings more accurate/serious?

I've run out of questions.

Onhwy61 ;
The record grading thing is a good question .
I have been purchasing some albums from Amazon who uses a rating system for the quality of the LP and jacket . So far I have received 4 albums all rated at vg(very good).
The first two albums were what I would call average for somebody who takes good care of their stuff .The 2nd two were quite good for the disk itself but not for the cover or sleeve . One cover was worn more than some that I have obtained from thrift stores and another had what looks like coffee stains ! Both of these had torn sleeves too . While the first disc is very clean the other is loaded with finger prints !
I beleive that the grading system is highly subjective and is only an estimation . Sort of like the grading system used here but maybe not as contientious .

Happy Tunes