Vinyl pressings
by Marillion · 1983
Script For A Jester's Tear was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 20 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.
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6-Runout A, stamped, variant 1
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-3-Runout B, stamped, variant 1
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6-Runout A, stamped, variant 2
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-3-28Runout B, stamped, variant 2
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6-Stamped side A, variant 1
EMC 3429 B-2U-1- 3-4Stamped side B, variant 1
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-5-Stamped side A, variant 2
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-2-Stamped side B, variant 2
EMC 3429 A-1U-1-2 1-Side A runout stamped, var.1
EMC 3429 A-1U-1-2Side A runout stamped, var.2
EMC 3429 A-3U-1-1-3-¯Side A runout stamped, var.3
EMC 3429 B-1U-1-2-Side B runout stamped, variants 1, 2, 3
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6-Side A runout stamped
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-3-Side B runout stamped
EMC 3429ASide A label
EMC 3429BSide B label
EMCP.3429+A ORLAKESide A runout
EMCP.3429+B ORLAKESide B runout
EMCP 3429aSide A text
EMCP 3429bSide B text
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6·Side A, variant 1
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-3Side B, variant 1
EMC 3429 A-2U-1-3Side A, variant 2
EMC 3429 B-2U-1-1-1CSide B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI EMC 3429 / EMI 8161First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI EMC 3429 / EMI 8161LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI 8161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC 3429First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC 3429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 07715First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Capitol Records ST 12269 / Capitol Records ST-12269First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | EMI 1077151First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | EMI 1077151First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | EMI EMC 3429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Portrait EMC 3429,First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Portrait EMC 3429First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Italy | Emi 64 1077151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-1137First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Fame FA 3235LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | EMI VEMC 3429 / EMI 50999 091614 1 2LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295316686LP, Album, 12", EP, LP, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, 12", EP, LP, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2021 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295301989LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2025 | Europe | Parlophone 5054197424861LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 038-7 46237 1 / EMI 038-74 6237 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | EMI 064-1077151 / EMI 0C 062 07 715LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | EMI 1077151LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | EMI 066 107715 1 / EMI 056 10 7715 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3429 / EMI 10 7715 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3429LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3429LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-12269LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
59 vinyl pressings of Script For A Jester's Tear are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3429, released March 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3429, EMCP 3429, ST-12269, 1C 064-07 715) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3429 A-2U-1-6- and EMC 3429 B-2U-1-3-. 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.
