Vinyl pressings
by ABC · 1987
When Smokey Sings was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 18 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.
NTX-111 A 1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSERunout Side A, etched, Variant 1
NTX-111 B 1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSERunout Side B, etched, Variant 1
NTX-111 A2 MT.1 TOWNHOUSERunout Side A, etched, Variant 2
NTX-111 B2 MT.1 TOWNHOUSERunout Side B, etched, Variant 2
NT 111-A TownhouseVariant 1 Side A
NT 111-B TownhouseVariant 1 Side B
NT-111 A² MT! TOWNHOUSEVariant 2 Side A
NT-111 B² MT! TOWNHOUSEVariant 2 Side B
NT 111-A1Runout etching side A, variant 1
NT 111-B2Runout etching side B, variant 1
NT-111.A-1 MT1 TOWNHOUSERunout etching side A, variant 2
NT-111 B2 MT1 TOWNHOUSERunout etching side B, variant 2
NTXR-111 A-1 MT1 TOWNHOUSESide A etched
NTXR-111 B-1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSESide B etched
NTX-111 A-1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSE 2Runout side A
NTX-111 B-1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSE 1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | Mercury 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2389First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 227First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2389First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2389First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 604-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Mercury 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 604-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 888 604-7 / Neutron Records 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Neutron Records 888 604-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Mexico | Polygram S/N-758First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo, Mono, Stereo · Promo, Mono |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 604-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Mercury 888 604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Phonogram Ltd. (London) AA 888 604-1.2Y12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of When Smokey Sings are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is Neutron Records NTX 111.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NTX 111, NTXR 111, NT 111, NTX DJ 111) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NTX-111 A 1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSE and NTX-111 B 1 MT.1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
