Vinyl pressings
by James Brown · 1972
King Heroin was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 11 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.
POL-30333-2-1C-Re MR Δ87540 STERLING RLA-Side Runout Etching
POL-30339-1C MR Δ87541A-Side Runout Etching
POL 30333A-Side Label
POL 30339B-Side Label
POL-30333-2-1A IAM STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
POL-30339-2-1A IAMB-Side Runout Etching
POL 30333A-Side Label
POL 30339B-Side Label
POL-30333-2-1D-1-1 [STERLING] PRA
POL-30339-1D-1-1 PRB
POL 30333Side A Label
POL 30339Side B Label
POL 30333Side A Label
POL 30339Side B Label
POL-30333-2-1A IAM STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
POL-30339-2-1A IAMB-Side Runout Etching
POL 30333A-Side Label
POL 30339B-Side Label
POL 30333 2066-185A side label
POL 30339 2066-185B side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Polydor 2066 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Polydor 2066 185First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Polydor 2066 185First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Polydor 2066 185First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Polydor PD 14116First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Polydor DP 1865First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Polydor 2066 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Polydor 20 66 185First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Polydor 20 66 185First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Polydor 2066-185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 14116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD-14116 / Polydor 2066-185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 14116 / Polydor 2066 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD14116First year7", Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Polydor PD 14116First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Polydor PD 146667", Single, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo | 7", Single, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of King Heroin are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Polydor PD 14116.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD 14116, PD-14116, PD14116, 2066-185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POL-30333-2-1C-Re MR Δ87540 STERLING RL and POL-30339-1C MR Δ87541. 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.
