Vinyl pressings
by Pussycat · 1976
Smile 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.
17 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 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.
5C006-25520-A//HL 28903-1-XRunout side A etched
5C006-25520-B//HL 28904-1-XRunout side B etched
5C 006-25520-ALabel side A in brackets
5C 006-25520-BLabel side B in brackets
SON 2096 A-1△G 1 L NOEL READS THESE AYSide A runout
SON 2096 B-1△G 1 L SUPERCUT BCSide B runout
SON 2096 ASide A label
SON 2096 BSide B label
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 | EMI EMI-11341First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | EMI International EMI-11341First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Australia | EMI EMI-11341First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Belgium | EMI Belgium 4C 006-25 520First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | EMI 72781First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-25 520 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-25 520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-25 520 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-25 520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-25 5207", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Ireland | EMI IEMI 5050First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-25520 / EMI Holland 5C 006-25520First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Parlophone NZP 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Parlophone NZP 3545First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4139First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Switzerland | EMI 13 C 006-25520 / EMI 13c 006-25520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | Sonet SON 2096First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
29 vinyl pressings of Smile are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Netherlands, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is EMI 5C 006-25520.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 006-25520, SON 2096, EMI-11341, 4C 006-25 520) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C006-25520-A//HL 28903-1-X and 5C006-25520-B//HL 28904-1-X. 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.
