Vinyl pressings
by Nik Kershaw · 1986
Nobody Knows was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, 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.
NIKT10A//2▽420U 11 1Runout stamped side A, variant 1
NIKT10B//2▽420U 11 1Runout stamped side B, variant 1
NIKT10A//1▽420U 1 1 2Runout stamped side A, variant 2
NIKT10B//1▽420U 1 1 4Runout stamped side B, variant 2
NIK 10 A // 2 ∇ 420 U 1 ② UTOPIA L18000Runout, side A
NIK 10 B // 3 ∇ 420 U 1 ③ L-18001Runout, side B
NIK 10 ALabel, side A
NIK 10 BLabel, side B
R/S Alsdorf 258569-7-ARunout A, stamped, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258569-7-BRunout B, stamped, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258569-7-A D̶M̶ S̶F̶ DK K 5Runout A, stamped/etched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 258569-7-B 7 KRunout B, stamped/etched, variant 2
P-2185-1A side
P-2185-2B-side
MX 212417 0 NIK 10 1 ⁀⁀Runout Side 1 (hand etched)
MX 212418 0 NIK 10 2Runout Side 2 (hand etched)
MX212417Label Side 1
MX212418Label Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 0-NIK 10First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records NIK 10First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23708First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records 52993First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records 52993First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 258 568-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | MCA Records 258 569-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 25 8596-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Portugal | MCA Records 1591027First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | MCA Records 1591016First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCS 52First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Spain | MCA Records 258 569-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | MCA Records 258569-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records NIKT 10 / MCA Records NIKT10First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records NIK 10First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Nobody Knows are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records NIKT 10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NIKT 10, NIK 10, WNIKT 10dl, 258 569-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NIKT10A//2▽420U 11 1 and NIKT10B//2▽420U 11 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.
