Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1981
A World Without Heroes was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
KISSP 002 A//2 ▽420 W 0RL MRunout side A, variant 1
KISSP 002 B//2 ▽420 W 0 RLRunout side B, variant 1
KISSP 002 A//2 ▽420 W 0RL BRunout side A, variant 2
KISSP 002 B//3 ▽420 W 0RL BRunout side B, variant 2
NB 2343 81 CS 226 C-2-1 -1 PRC-C STERLING -31-Side A runout
NB 2343 81 CS 220 C1-1-1 PRC-C -B- STERLINGSide B runout
NB 2343 81 CS 226 BWScribed in runout side A
NB 2343 81 CS 220 BWScribed in runout side B
81CS226Label A
81CS220Label B
NB 2343 81 CS 226 R1 PRC STERLINGScribed in runout A
NB 2343 81 CS 220 R1 PRC STERLINGScribed in runout B
81 CS 226 6180 069Label A
81 CS 220 6180 069Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Casablanca 6000 769First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Casablanca 6000 769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Casablanca NB 2343First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Casablanca 45-28557First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Mexico | Casablanca S/N 209First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Casablanca 6000 769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Casablanca 6000 769First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Casablanca 60 00 769First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Casablanca KISS P002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1981 | UK | Casablanca KISS 002First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Casablanca NB 2343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Casablanca NB 2343 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Casablanca NB 2343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Casablanca NB 2343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Casablanca NB2343First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of A World Without Heroes are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Casablanca KISS P002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KISS P002, KISS 002, NB 2343, NB 2343 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KISSP 002 A//2 ▽420 W 0RL M and KISSP 002 B//2 ▽420 W 0 RL. 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.
