Vinyl pressings
by The Boomtown Rats · 1979
Diamond Smiles was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
ENY 33 A DM POLYGRAM ARUN B 647Runout side A, variant 1
ENY 33 B DM POLYGRAM B 647Runout side B, variant 1
ENY 33 A POLYGRAM A1 ARUN 617Runout side A, variant 2
ENY 33 B DM POLYGRAM 647Runout side B, variant 2
617 ENY 33 A POLYGRAM A A1C ARUNRunout A, stamped/etched, var.1
617 ENY 33 B DM POLYGRAM A A12Runout B, stamped/etched, var.1
617 ENY 33 A POLYGRAM A1 ARUN [etched symbol resembling a mirrored ɱ]Runout A, stamped/etched, var.2
617 ENY 33 B POLYGRAM A A8Runout B, stamped/etched, var.2
ENY 331F//2▽E M 12 1 ARUNA-side runout, variant 1
ENY 33 2F//2▽E M 11 2B-side runout, variant 1
ENY 331F//2▽E M 1 2 1 ARUNA-side runout, variant 2
ENY 33 2F//2▽E M 11 4B-side runout, variant 2
ENY 33 A POLYGRAM ARUN B 647A Side Runout
ENY 33 B POLYGRAM B 647 A15B Side Runout
ENv 331F//2 ▽E M 12 1 ARUNA-side runout, stamped, but "ARUN" is etched and inverted
ENv 33 2F//2 ▽E M 11 4B-side runout, stamped
617 ENY 33 A POLYGRAM A A1C ARUNA Side runout
GO POY 82 B POLYGRAM STRAWBERRYB Side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Mercury 6008 553First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Austria | Mercury 6008 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Belgium | Mercury 6008 553First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Mercury 6008 553 / Ensign 6008 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Mulligan LUNS 733First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | Mulligan LUNS 733First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2459First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Mercury 6008 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Mercury 6008553First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | Mercury 6008 553First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | Philips TOS 1238First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6008 553First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1238First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Spain | Mercury 6008 553First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Ensign ENY 33First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Diamond Smiles are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Japan, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Ensign ENY 33, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENY 33, ENY 33., SFL-2459, 6008 553) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ENY 33 A DM POLYGRAM ARUN B 647 and ENY 33 B DM POLYGRAM B 647. 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.
