Vinyl pressings
by Michael Dinner · 1976
Tom Thumb The Dreamer was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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 F-9512-A 'B' POGO (Heart Logo)Side A runout etched
KENDUNSide A runout stamped
P F-9512-B 'B' V BANANAS POGO (Heart Logo)Side B runout etched
KENDUNSide B runout stamped
F-9512-A KENDUN-B- POGO ♡ PSide A, etched, except "KENDUN P" stamped
F-9512-B KENDUN-B- BANANAS A2 POGO ♡ PSide B, etched, except "KENDUN A2 P" stamped
s F-9512-A-1A KENDUN AA Runout
F-9512-AA Label
s F-9512-B-1A KENDUN -A BANANAS POGO [heart logo]B Label
FTA.3006ASide A label
FTA.3006BSide B label
FTA 3006 A - 1 P 1A-side label
FTA 3006 B - 1 R 1B-side label
1 SMX.49731Side A runout etched
1 SMX.49732Side B runout etched
BLPS 19248-A-2Side A runout stamped
BLPS 19248-B-2Side B runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Fantasy L 36012First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Bellaphon Records BLPS 19248 / Fantasy BLPS 19248First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Fantasy VIP-6361First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Fantasy VIP-6361First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Spain | Fantasy HFAS 841-14 (LS)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Fantasy FTA 3006 / Fantasy 0C 064 – 98 199First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Fantasy F-9512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Fantasy F-9512First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Fantasy F-9512First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Venezuela | Fantasy LP-9512LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Tom Thumb The Dreamer are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9512.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9512, FTA 3006, L 36012, BLPS 19248) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P F-9512-A 'B' POGO (Heart Logo) and KENDUN. 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.
