Vinyl pressings
by John Waite · 1985
Mask Of Smiles was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
ST-17164-A-1A-2HZ: DM 6Side A runout, variant 1
ST-17164-2 1B2HZ DM 3Side B runout, variant 1
ST-17164-A-1A-2HZ: DM 10Side A runout, variant 2
ST-17164-2 1B2HZ DM 8Side B runout, variant 2
EJ 2403861 A-1-1-1 x 1 DSide A runout, variant 1
EJ 2403861 B-1-1-1 DSide B runout, variant 1
EJ 2403861 A-1-1-1-1 DSide A runout, variant 2
EJ 2403861 B-1-1-1-1 DSide B runout, variant 2
ST-1-17164 #1 STERLING (L in a circle) 0A side, variant 1
ST-2-17164 #4 0B side, variant 1
ST-1-17164-ZX9 #1 O (L etched over by the O)A side, variant 2
ST-2-17164-Z4 #4 OB side, variant 2
ST-1-17164-Z8 #2 0 [L etched over by the 0] STERLINGSide A runout, etched & stamped
ST-2-17164 Z-14 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Ɛ____ 0 [L etched over by the 0]Side B runout, etched & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | EMI America 240386-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America ST-240386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ST-17164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Barbados | EMI America ST-17164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 064-24 0386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America ST17164 / EMI America ST-17164First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America ST-17164LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America ST-17164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI America 1C 064-24 0386 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Pathé Marconi EMI 2403861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | India | EMI America ST 17164 / EMI America ST. 17164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI America 64 2403861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91124First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91124First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Mexico | EMI America SLEM-1330First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | India | EMI America St. 17164LP | LP |
27 vinyl pressings of Mask Of Smiles are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Canada, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI America ST17164.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST17164, ST-17164, WAITE 2, 240386-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-17164-A-1A-2HZ: DM 6 and ST-17164-2 1B2HZ DM 3. 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.
