Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1988
King Of Emotion was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
BIGC 512 A- - 2U-1-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 512 B-2U-1-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 512 A-3U-1-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
BIGC 512 B-2U-1-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
BIGC 5 A-2U-1-3Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 5 B-3U-1-3Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 5 A-2U-1-1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 2
BIGC 5 B-2U-1-1Runout, B-side, stamped, variant 2
BIGC 5 A-2U-1-1Runout Side A
BIGC 5 B-2U-1-1Runout Side B
BIGC 5 A-2U-1-Q5Runout side A
BIGC 5 B-2U-1-Q3Runout side B
BIGC 512 A-3U-1-1Runout side A stamped
BIGC 512 B-3U-1-1Runout side B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 290First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 617-7 / Mercury BIGC 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 617-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 617-1 / Mercury BIGC 512First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | France | Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Portugal | Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | South Africa | Mercury PD 2615 / Mercury 870 617-1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGC 512 / Mercury 870 617-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGCDJ 512First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGC 5 / Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGC 5 / Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGC 5 / Mercury 870 617-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury BIGC 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Not On Label (Big Country)12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
20 vinyl pressings of King Of Emotion are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury BIGC 512.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIGC 512, BIGC 5, BIGCDJ 512, 9 27737-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIGC 512 A- - 2U-1-1 and BIGC 512 B-2U-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.
