Vinyl pressings
by Mezzoforte · 1982
Surprise Surprise was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MEZZO - 04 - A-1Runout, A-side, etched variant 1
MEZZO - 04 - B-1Runout, B-side, etched variant 1
STELP02A1-A-1Runout, A-side, etched variant 2
STELP02-B1Runout, B-side, etched variant 2
STELP 02A•I• CP YIIA Side Deadwax [Etched]
STE-LP-02-BI CP YIIB Side Deadwax [Etched]
MEZZO -04-A-1A runout, hand etched
MEZZO- 04-B-1B runout, hand etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia & New Zealand | Steinar STE LP02 / Plaza Records PZ 001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Iceland | Steinar Steinar 062First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | Steinar STE LP02First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Steinar STE LP02 / Steinar STE LP 02First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Steinar Records (UK) Ltd. STE LP02First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Belgium | Jump & Shout JS 3301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Belgium | Jump & Shout JS 3301LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 811 724-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 811 724-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | CGD INT 20359LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0275LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0275LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Steinar STE LP02 / Promusix STE LP02LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | WEA WIC 5050LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25456LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | ZYX Music BHM 1086-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Quality Vinyl Projects GR-150 / Gramy-H Limited GR-150LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo, CD, Album, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered, Stereo, CD, Album, Promo, Remastered, Stereo · Promo, Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | Europe | Quality Vinyl Projects GR-150 / Gramy-H Limited GR-150LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA NL74131LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 811 724-1LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Surprise Surprise are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1982 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, Iceland, Ireland. One of them is Steinar STE LP02.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STE LP02, Steinar 062) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MEZZO - 04 - A-1 and MEZZO - 04 - B-1. 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.
