Vinyl pressings
by 999 · 1980
The Biggest Prize In Sport was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
POLS 1013 A // 2 ▽ ESC 1 / 1 (etched) JONZStamped side A (variant 1)
POLS 1013 B // 3 ▽ ESC 1/ U (etched) SOUND CLINICStamped side B (variant 1)
POLS 1013 A // 2 ▽ ESC 1 / 1 (etched) 8SOS JONZStamped side A (variant 2)
POLS 1013 B // 3 ▽ ESC 1/ 3 (etched) 8S)S SOUND X CLINICStamped side B (variant 2)
PD∙1∙6256 AS∙K A-2Runout side 1, etched
PD∙1∙6256∙BS-K A-2Runout side 2, etched
STERLING [horizontal triangle w/ dot inside]Runout sides 1 & 2, stamped
DD·1·6256·AS·PRC-R-1-1 STERLINGRunout Side A, etched; 'STERLING' stamped
PD·1·6256·BS·PRC-C-1-1-1 STERLINGRunout Side B, etched; 'STERLING' stamped
PD-1-6256-AS-PRC-R-1-1-1 STERLINGSide A runout etched/stamped
PD-1-6256-BS-PRC-R-1-1-1 STERLINGSide B runout etched/stamped
PD-1-6526 ASide A label
PD-1-6526 BSide B label
A-1 ᐉ PD.1.6256 AS-K STERLINGA side run-out, variant 1
A-1 ᐉ PD.1.6256 BS-K STERLINGB side run-out, variant 1
A-2 ᐉ PD·1·6256 AS·K STERLINGA side run-out, variant 2
A-2 ᐉ PD·1·6256 BS-K STERLINGB side run-out, variant 2
PD-1-6256AS IL 1ASide 1
PD-1-6256BS IL 1ASide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2383 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Albion Records POLSC 1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Albion Records 201 331 / Ariola 201 331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor POLS 1013 / Polydor 2383563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Albion Records 201 331-320 / Ariola 201 331-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Norway | Albion Records 9198 728First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD-1-6256 / Polydor 2383 563First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD-1-6256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Polydor PD-1-6256 / Polydor 2383 563First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP46LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2014 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP46LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Drastic Plastic Records DPRLP46LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2018 | Europe | Restless Empire CULT07LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2018 | Europe | Restless Empire CULT07LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Italy | Radiation Reissues RRS204LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
23 vinyl pressings of The Biggest Prize In Sport are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1980 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor POLS 1013, released January 25, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLS 1013, PD-1-6256, 2383 563, POLSC 1013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLS 1013 A // 2 ▽ ESC 1 / 1 (etched) JONZ and POLS 1013 B // 3 ▽ ESC 1/ U (etched) SOUND CLINIC. 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.
