Vinyl pressings
by Graham Parker · 1980
Stupefaction was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
BUY-72-A-1 THE BIGGER THEY ARE.... A STEVESide A runout - Variant 1
BUY-72-B-2 THEY BIGGER THEY ARE A SASide B runout - Variant 1
BUY-72-A-2 STEVE A THE BIGGER THEY ARE.... A STEVESide A runout - Variant 2
BUY-72-B-1 SA A THE HARDER THEY HIT...Side B runout - Variant 2
BUY-72 A2 | THE HARDER THEY HIT...Etched Side A
BUY-72 B4 | THE BIGGER THEY AREEtched Side B
BUY - 72 - A - 2 THE HARDER THEY HIT ... A STEVERunout A
BUY - 72 - B - 1 THE HARDER THEY HIT ... 10 A SA. [T in triangle]Runout B
BUY-72-A-1 THE BIGGER THEY ARE.... ⋀ STEVESide A runout
BUY-72-B-2 THEY BIGGER THEY ARE ⋀ SASide B runout
AS-0523-SASide A
AS-0523-SBSide B
AS-0523-SA-1B ssssSide A, etched
AS-0523-SB-1B ssSide B, etched
STERLINGBoth sides, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.196First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AS 0523First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Stiff Records 640204First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 783 / Stiff Records 6.12783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 783 / Stiff Records 6.12783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1523First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 72First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | South Africa | Stiff Records STF 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1955First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1955First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY72 / Stiff Records BUY 72First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 72First yearSingle, 7" | Single, 7" |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 72First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Stiff Records BUY72First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
21 vinyl pressings of Stupefaction are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY72.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY72, BUY 72, AS 0523, AS0523) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-72-A-1 THE BIGGER THEY ARE.... A STEVE and BUY-72-B-2 THEY BIGGER THEY ARE A SA. 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.
