Vinyl pressings
by Steve Martin · 1978
King Tut was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
WCO-0037-S-PRC-I-1-1-1 PRC KENDUN-CSide A Etched & stamped
WCO-0038-S-PRC-I-1-11-1 PRC KENDUN-CSide B Etched & stamped
(WCO 0037)SSide A Label
(WCO 0038)SSide B Label
WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S WW1 ---◁ KENDUN-CEtched Side A, except KENDUN-C stamped var 1
WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S WW1 #3 ---◁ KENDUN-DEtched Side B, except KENDUN-D stamped var 1
WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S WW1 ---◁ KENDUN-CEtched Side A, except KENDUN-C stamped var 2
WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S WW1 ---◁ KENDUN-DEtched Side B, except KENDUN-D stamped var 2
WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S JW1#1 KENDUN-DEtched Side A, except KENDUN-D stamped
WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S WW1 #2 ---◁ KENDUN-DEtched Side B, except KENDUN-D stamped
(WCO 0037)SLabel Side A
(WCO 0038)SLabel Side B
R-3502 WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S -LW3 KENDUN-AEtched Side A, except KENDUN-C stamped
R-3503 WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S-LW3 KENDUN-AEtched Side B, except KENDUN-D stamped
(WCO 0037)SLabel Side A
(WCO 0038)SLabel Side B
WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S JW1 #1 KENDUN-D 0Side A runout, variant 1
WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S- JW2 #2 KENDUN-C 0Side B runout, variant 1
WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S JW1 #4 KENDUN-D 0Side A runout, variant 2
WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S- JW2 #4 KENDUN-C 0Side B runout, variant 2
R-3502 WBS-8577-WCO-0037-S -LW3 KENDUN-AEtched Side A, except KENDUN-C stamped
R-3503 WBS-8577-WCO-0038-S-LW3 KENDUN-AEtched Side B, except KENDUN-D stamped
(WCO 0037)SLabel Side A
(WCO 0038)SLabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-727First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577First year7", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Warner Records 0603497822232 / Rhino Records 060349782223212", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 85777", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records GWB 03727", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of King Tut are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1978 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8577, released May 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8577, PRO-A-727, K 17216) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WCO-0037-S-PRC-I-1-1-1 PRC KENDUN-C and WCO-0038-S-PRC-I-1-11-1 PRC KENDUN-C. 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.
