Vinyl pressings
by Nik Kershaw · 1984
The Riddle was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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.
NIK 6 A2 JAA-side runout, hand-etched
NIK 6 B2B-side runout, hand-etched
NIK 6 A1 JAA-side runout, hand-etched, variant 2
NIK 6 B1B-side runout, hand-etched, variant 2
NIKT 6. A1 timtom cbsRunout, A-side, hand etched
NIKT 6. B1 TYRunout, B-side, hand etched
⋀Runout, stamped, sides A&B
NIKT 6 A*Label A
NIK - 6 - A1 timtomA-side runout var. 1
NIK - 6 - B1 TY AB-side runout var. 1
NIK - 6 - A1 TimTom CA-side runout var. 2
NIK - 6 - B2 :) CB-side runout var. 2
NIK.T6 A2Runout, A-side, etched
NIK.T6 B2Runout, B-side, etched
NIKT 6 A*Center Label A
NIKT 6 B*Center Label B
NIK·T 6 A2 JARunout side A, etched
NIK·T 6 B2Runout side B, etched
c:Runout side B, stamped
⋀Both runouts, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 0-NIK 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records NIK 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records 52544First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records 52544First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 225-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259 226-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259 226-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259 226-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259 226-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | MCA Records NIK 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 9226-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | MCA Records NIK 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | MCA Records 501012103First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCS 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records 25 9225 - 0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records NIK 67", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | MCA 259 226-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of The Riddle are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Italy and more. One of them is MCA Records NIK 6, released November 5, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NIK 6, NIKT 6, NIKP 6, MCA-52544) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NIK 6 A2 JA and NIK 6 B2. 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.
