Vinyl pressings
by The Costello Show · 1986
King Of America 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.
25 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 16 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.
ZL 70946-A · Precision SF · B-4166 A-1 IIIRunout side A, variant 1
ZL 70946-B · Precision SF · B-4166 B-1Runout side B, variant 1
ZL 70946-A · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 A-1 IIRunout side A, variant 2
ZL 70946-B · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 B-1Runout side B, variant 2
ZL 70946 A1 670 04 114Side A
ZL 70946 B1 670 04 116Side B
ZL 70946-A · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 A-1Runout side A, Variant 1
ZL 70946-B · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 B-1Runout side B Variant 1
ZL 70946-A · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 A-1 IIRunout side A, Variant 2
ZL 70946-B · Precision SF · 020 B-4166 B-1 IIRunout side B Variant 2
ZL 70946-A | 020 B-4166 A-1A side runout
ZL 70946-B | 020 B-4166 B-1B side runout
· Precision SF ·Sides A & B runout etched
ZL 70946 A1 670 04 116Variant 1 Side A
ZL 70946 B1 670 04 111Variant 1 Side B
ZL 70946 A1 670 04 111Variant 2 Side A
ZL 70946 B1 670 04 113Variant 2 Side B
PAL 40173-1C G6 Precision SF A25Side A runout, variant 1
PBL 40173-1C G1 Precision SF B10Side B runout, variant 1
PAL 40173-1C G6 Precision SF A26Side A runout, variant 2
PBL 40173-1C G1 Precision SF B9Side B runout, variant 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 & New Zealand | F-Beat VPL1 7601 / F-Beat VPL1-7601First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | RCA 710 7127 / RCA Victor 104.7127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | F-Beat ZL 70946 / F-Beat ZL 70956-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | F-Beat ZL70946 / F-Beat ZL 70946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | RCA RCHC-I 22First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | F-Beat ZL 70946 / F-Beat ZL 70956-8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20369First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20369 / F-Beat RCLP 20369First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1986 | Ireland | F-Beat ZL 70946First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | F-Beat ZL 70946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | F-Beat ZL 70946 / F-Beat ZL70946First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | F-Beat ZL70946First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | F-Beat RPL-8330First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZL70946First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | F-Beat VPL1 7601First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | UK | Demon Records DPAMLP 11LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-362 / Universal Music Special Markets B0013533-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 2013 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-362LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | UMe 602547331182LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | UMe 0602547331182LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Unknown | UMe 602465755909LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2024 | US | UMe 602465755909LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2024 | Worldwide | UMe 00602465755909LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2024 | Worldwide | UMe 602465755916LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
37 vinyl pressings of King Of America are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1986 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is F-Beat ZL70946, released February 21, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZL70946, ZL 70946, RCHC-I 22, FC 40173) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZL 70946-A · Precision SF · B-4166 A-1 III and ZL 70946-B · Precision SF · B-4166 B-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.
