Vinyl pressings
by White Lion · 1989
Big Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
STA-897423-C-DMM SP 2-5 [STERLING stamp]Runout, side A, etched
STA-897424-DMM-A SP1-1 [STERLING stamp]Runout, side B, etched
STA-897423-C-DMM 2-1 [STERLING stamp]Side A Variant, etched
ST-A-897423-SPLabel, side A
ST-A-897423-SP
78-19691-AX STA-897423-C-DMM SP 2-4 SP-CAN STERLING CRSide A runout
78 19691- A̶ B STA-897424-DMM- A̶ SP1-4 SP-CAN STERLINGSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Atlantic 81969-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Atlantic 78 19691First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Atlantic A1 81969LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Colombia | Atlantic 23(7031)00097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Ecuador | Atlantic LP-73074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Atlantic 781 969-1 / Atlantic WX 277First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1989 | Europe | Atlantic 781 969-1 / Atlantic WX 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Atlantic 781 969-1 / Atlantic WX 277First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Atlantic 7 81969 1 / Atlantic 81969-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Atlantic 7 81969 1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1989 | Mexico | Atlantic LXWA-6878First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9884First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic A1-81969LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic 7 81969-1 / Atlantic 81969-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Atlantic 7819691LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2839 / Atlantic MOVLP2839LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2839 / Atlantic MOVLP2839LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Friday Music FRM-88969 / Atlantic FRM-88969LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Friday Music FRM-88970LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
22 vinyl pressings of Big Game are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1989 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, South Korea, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Atlantic 7 81969-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 81969-1, 7-81969-1, 81969-1, 78 19691) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-897423-C-DMM SP 2-5 [STERLING stamp] and STA-897424-DMM-A SP1-1 [STERLING stamp]. 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.
