Vinyl pressings
by Triumph · 1986
The Sport Of Kings 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.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MCA 5786-A MCA-5731-MD2 MASTERDISKSide A runout; variant 1
MCA 5786-B MCA-5732-MD1Side B runout; variant 1
MCA-5731-2 MASTERDISK MCA 5731-1Side A runout - etched, MASTERDISK stamped; variant 2
MCA-5731-1 MASTERDISK MCA 5731-1Side B runout - etched, MASTERDISK stamped; variant 2
MCF 3331 A//1▽420 T 11 2 BILBO.TAPGONESide 1
MCF 333 1 B//1▽420 T 1 1 BILBO.TAPGONESide 2
MCA-5731-MD3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Side A Runout - Variant 1
MCA-5732-MD3 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout - Variant 1
MCA-5731-MD4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Side A Runout - Variant 2
MCA-5732-MD4 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout - Variant 2
⧈-G-⧈Runout Both Sides, Stamped
MCA-5731-MD2Side A, Variant 1
MCA-5732-MD1Side B, Variant 1
MCA-5731-MD1 MASTERDISKSide A, Variant 2
P-13366-1 TO 6-9 1-A-3 3 〄Side 1
P-13366-2 TO 1-A-6 3 〄Side 2
MCA 5731Side A
MCA 5732Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | MCA Records 80017First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 5786-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5786LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5786LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 254 258-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 25 4258-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | MCA Records MCA-5786 / Oasis Record Co. OLM-3058First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5786First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5786LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5786LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13366First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Sport Of Kings are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Canada, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5786.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5786, MCF 3331, P-13366, 80017) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 5786-A MCA-5731-MD2 MASTERDISK and MCA 5786-B MCA-5732-MD1. 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.
