Vinyl pressings
by The Boomtown Rats · 1978
Rat Trap 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.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 12 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 16 DJ 1F // 4 UT NO GRIME HERE PADDY 1 2 2Runout variant 1, stamped/etched side A
ENY 16 // 2 P 1 1 12Runout variant 1, stamped side B
ENY 16 DJ 1F // 3 UT NO GRIME HERE PADDY Ʊ [Lyre Symbol]Runout variant 2, stamped/etched side A
ENY 16 // 2F// 1R 1 1 3 ToneRunout variant 1, stamped/etched side B
ENY 16 ̶D̶J̶ 1F // 3 UT NO GRIME HERE PADDY Ʊ 12 9Side A runout variant 1
ENY 16 2F // 1 P 12 TONE 3Side B runout variant 1
ENY 16 ̶D̶J̶ 1F // 3 UT NO GRIME HERE PADDY Ʊ 14 10Side A runout variant 2
ENY 16 2F // 2 P 11 25Side B runout variant 2
ENY 16 A5 ago 78 1 0 ToneRun-out side A, stamped ("Tone" etched)
ENY 16 B5 ago 78 1 0Run-out side B, stamped
ENY 16 A5 [three discs] 78 1 0 TONeRun-out side A, stamped, tag etched
ENY 16 B5 [three discs] 78 1 0Run-out side B, stamped
SWING HI SWING FREE
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 | Australia | Mercury 6008 536First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Mercury 6173 675First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Mercury 6008 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Mulligan LUNS 717First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | Mercury 6008 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2357First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Mercury 6008 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Mercury 6008 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Portugal | Mercury 6008 530First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Spain | Mercury 6008 530First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Ensign ENY 16First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | UK | Mercury CUT 206 / Mercury 6008 5307", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 965-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
27 vinyl pressings of Rat Trap are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1978 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, France and more. One of them is Ensign ENY 16, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENY 16, AS544, 6008 536, 6173 675) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ENY 16 DJ 1F // 4 UT NO GRIME HERE PADDY 1 2 2 and ENY 16 // 2 P 1 1 12. 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.
