Vinyl pressings
by The Art Of Noise · 1988
Kiss was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
871 038-7 S 1 320 1 FRunout side A, variant 1
871 038-7 S 2 320 1Runout side B, variant 1
871 038-7 S 1 320 1 ARunout side A, variant 2
871 038-7 S 2 320 1 CRunout side B, variant 2
871 039 - 1 S 1 320Runout side A
871 039 - 1 S 2 320Runout side B
CHINA 11 A-1U-1-Q2Runout Side A, Stamped
CHINA 11 B-1U-1-Q1Runout Side B, Stamped
CHINA 11ALabel Side A
CHINA 11BLabel Side B
871-038-7-88-NP-7862-SP 1-1 STERLING SRCSide A Run-out
871-038-7-88-NP-7863-SP STERLING SRCSide B Run-out
88NP 7862Side A Label
88NP 7863Side B Label
CHINX 11 A-1U-1-1Runout Side A stamped
CHINX 11 B-1U-1-1Runout Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | China Records 871 039-1 / Polydor 871 039-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australasia | China Records 871 038-7 / PolyGram 871 038-7First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1988 | Australasia | China Records 871 038-7First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor 871 039-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Polydor 871 038-7 / China Records 871 038-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 871 038-7 / China Records CHINA 11First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 871 039-1 / China Records CHINX 11First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Polydor 871 071-1 / China Records CHIXR 11First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | France | China Records 871 038 - 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | China Records CHINX 11 / Polydor 871 039-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Greece | China Records CHINX 11 / Polydor 871 039-1First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1988 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3813First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Portugal | Polydor 871 038-7 / China Records 871 038-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | South Africa | Polydor PD 2626First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Spain | Polydor 871 039-1 / China Records 871 039-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Kiss are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Polydor 871 038-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 871 038-7, 871 039-1, 871 071-1, CHINA 11) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 871 038-7 S 1 320 1 F and 871 038-7 S 2 320 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.
