Vinyl pressings
by Mike Heron · 1971
Smiling Men With Bad Reputations was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. 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 1971, 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.
ILPS 9146 A - 1USide A runout variant 1
ILPS 9146 B - 2USide B runout variant 1
1 ILPS 9146 A - 1U GSide A runout variant 2
1 ILPS 9146 B - 2U GSide B runoutvariant 2
EKS-74093 A-1 CP /3 ESRA-side runout, variant 1
EKS-74093 B CP /3 ESRB-side runout, variant 1
P EKS-74093 A CP /3 ESR A3A-side runout, variant 2
P EKS-74093 B-1 CP /3 ESR A3B-side runout, variant 2
EKS-74093 A-1 CSM /3 ESRRunout side A, etched; for "/3", see Notes.
EKS-74093 B CSM /3 ESRRunout side B, etched; for "/3", see Notes.
EKS-74093-ALabel side A
EKS-74093-BLabel side B
T1 EKS-74093-A- CTH VZ ESRSide A runout
T1 EKS-74093 B-1 CTH |3 ESRSide B runout
EKS-74093-ASide A label
EKS-74093-BSide B label
EKS-74093 A CSM B ESRRunout, Side A etched
ESK-74093 B CSM B ESRRunout, Side B etched
EKS-74093-ALabel, Side A
EKS-74093-BLabel, Side B
EKS-74093 ASide A runout stamped
EKS-74093 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra EKS-74093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Island Records 85 381 IT / Island Records C 85 381First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Spain | Island Records ILPS 9146 / Island Records 85.381-SEFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9146First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74093First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74093First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74093First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-74093First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | US | Elektra Records EKS-74093LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Elektra EKS-74093LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Smiling Men With Bad Reputations are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, US, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9146.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9146, EKS-74093, 85 381 IT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9146 A - 1U and ILPS 9146 B - 2U. 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.
