Vinyl pressings
by Miklós Rózsa · 1961
King Of Kings was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 6 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.
61-ST-412-B ͎͎͎[up-arrow] WC S1 E2 S1 2 [Block-shaped "S" stamp]Side A runout
61-ST-413-C WC S1_E_2 S2 [Block-shaped "S" stamp]Side B runout
1 - E - 2 S1 [stamped] 61-MG-612-C [etched]A-Side Runout
1 - E - 2 S2 [stamped] 61-MG-613-B-1 [etched]B-Side Runout
61 MG 612-1S 1.1 1Side A runout, stamped
61 MG 613-1S R 1Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Brazil | MGM Records MG 688First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Canada | MGM Records SIE/1E2First yearLP, Album, Box Set, Deluxe Edition | LP, Album, Box Set, Deluxe Edition |
| 1961 | France | MGM Records F2 mgm 133First yearLP | LP |
| 1961 | Germany | MGM Records S1E2 / 109 007First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Box Set | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Box Set |
| 1961 | Germany | MGM Records 1E2 / 009 007First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | MGM Records CS6043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | UK | MGM Records MGM-C 869First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | MGM Records CS6043First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1961 | US | MGM Records S1E2First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | MGM Records 1E2First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1966 | Venezuela | MGM Records E-2LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | MGM Records 23 54 169LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1981 | Japan | MGM Records 25MM9027LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | MGM Records MGM S02 6043LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-39056LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-39056LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Italy | MGM Records 1E2LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Mexico | MGM Records 1E2 / MGM Records SIE/IE2LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | MGM Records 2353035LP, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of King Of Kings are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1961 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is MGM Records S1E2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S1E2, 1E2, CS6043, MGM-C 869) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 61-ST-412-B ͎͎͎[up-arrow] WC S1 E2 S1 2 [Block-shaped "S" stamp] and 61-ST-413-C WC S1_E_2 S2 [Block-shaped "S" stamp]. 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.
