Vinyl pressings
by The Boomtown Rats · 1978
Like Clockwork was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
ENY 14 1F//2 ESide A runout, variant 1
ENY 14 2F//2 E BLAIRSide B runout, variant 1
ENY 14 1F//2 E 1 2 5Side A runout, variant 2
ENY 14 2F//2 E 1 1 2 BLAIRSide B runout, variant 2
ENY 14 1F//1 ERunout [stamped] side A
ENY 14 2F//1 ERunout [stamped] side B
BLAIRRunout [etched] both sides
ENY 14 1F//2 E 1 1Runout [stamped] side A. Variant 2
ENY 14 1F//1 E 11 11 BLAIRRunout side A
ENY 14 2F//1 E 1 1 4 BLAIRRunout side B
ENY 14 1F//1 E 12 2 1 BLAIRSide A
ENY 14 2F//1 E 1 2 2 4 BLAIRSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | France | Mercury 6837 501First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1978 | Ireland | Mulligan LUN 716First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Mulligan LUN 716First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | Mulligan LUNS 716First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Mercury 6008 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Mercury 6008 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | Mercury 60 08 526First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 147", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Like Clockwork are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, France, Ireland, Netherlands and more. One of them is Ensign ENY 14, released June 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENY 14, 6837 501, LUN 716, LUNS 716) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ENY 14 1F//2 E and ENY 14 2F//2 E BLAIR. 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.
