Vinyl pressings
by John Hunter · 1984
Tragedy was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
P BA-ZS4-04643-3 MASTERDISKA-Side Runout Etching
P ZS4-04643-4AAB-Side Runout Etching
BA-BF ZS4 04643-3A-Side Label
BA-BF ZS4 04643-4B-Side Label
ZS4-04643-3AF-1 G1Side A runout, etched
ZS4-04643-4AF G1Side B runout, etched
BA-BF ZS4 04643-3Side A label
BA-BF ZS4 04643-4Side B label
MX215289Label side A
MX215290Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1022 / Private I Records ES 1022First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | CBS Associated Records ZS4 04643First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 5006First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | UK | Epic A5006First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | US | Private I Records ZS4 04643First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Private I Records ZS4 04643First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Private I Records ZS4 04643First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Private I Records 1020417", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Gresham Records DGS 3687", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Tragedy are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Private I Records ZS4 04643.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS4 04643, A5006, ES 1022, EPCA 5006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P BA-ZS4-04643-3 MASTERDISK and P ZS4-04643-4AA. 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.
