Vinyl pressings
by Benny Carter · 1976
The King was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, 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.
PP 1959 5S I A1 DSide A runout, variant 1
PP 1960 1S I A 2 ASide B runout, variant 1
PP 1959 5S I A1 ESide A runout, variant 2
PP 1960 1S I A2 DSide B runout, variant 2
PP 1959 5S I̶ A1Side A runout
PP 1960 1S I̶ A3Side B runout
2310-768, (PP-1959)Side A label
2310-768, (PP-1960)Side B label
PAB 2310 768 1 380 CIDIS Λ3Side A
PAB 2310 768 2 380 CIDIS Λ2Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Brazil | Pablo Records 6328312First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Canada | Pablo Records 2310-768First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | France | Pablo Records 2310 768First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Pablo Records 2310 768First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | Pablo Records MTF 1047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Pablo Records 2310 768First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | US | Pablo Records 2310-768First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Pablo Records 2310-768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Pablo Records 2310-768 / Pablo Records 23 10 768LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brazil | Pablo Records 6328 312LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Pablo Records 2310 768 / Pablo Records 2310.768LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Pablo Records 2310-768LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of The King are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1976 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Pablo Records 2310-768.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2310-768, 2310 768, 6328312, MTF 1047) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PP 1959 5S I A1 D and PP 1960 1S I A 2 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.
