Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1980
A Forest was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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.
FICS 10 A// 1▽E STR STRAWBERRYA-side runout, variant 1
FICS 10 B// 1▽E STR STRAWBERRYB-side runout, variant 1
FICS 10 A// 1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRY. 28A-side runout, variant 2
FICS 10 B// 1▽E STR 12 91 STRAWBERRY.B-side runout, variant 2
FICSX 10 A // 1∇ ESTR 12 2 STRAWBERRY.Side A runout, variant 1
FICSX 10 B//1∇ESTR 1 11 9 STRAWBERRY.Side B runout, variant 1
FICSX 10 A//1∇ ESTR 1 11 6 STRAWBERRY.Side A runout, variant 2
FICSX 10 B//1∇ESTR 1 11 7 STRAWBERRY.Side B runout, variant 2
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYStamped A-side, variant 1
FICS 10 B//1▽E STR 12 STRAWBERR.Y. 1Stamped B-side, variant 1
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 12 STRAWBERR.Y. 1Stamped A-side, variant 2
FICS 10 B//1▽E STR 12 8 STRAWBERR.Y.Stamped B-side, variant 2
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYStamped A Side
FICS 10 B//1▽E STR 12 STRAWBERRYStamped B Side
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYRunout A stamped, variant 1
FICS 10 B//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYRunout B stamped, variant 1
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERR.Y. 3Runout A stamped, variant 2
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 3 STRAWBERR.Y.Runout B stamped, variant 2
FICS 10 A//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYStamped A Side
FICS 10 B//1▽E STR 11 STRAWBERRYStamped B Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Stunn ESP-103First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Misprint · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Misprint · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2098 / Polydor 2059 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Polydor PDS 2098 / Polydor 2059 2297", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2059 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Fiction Records 0930.022First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2059 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 229 / Fiction Records 2059 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Stunn BFA004 / Stunn BFA 004First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Stunn ESP-103First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Stunn BFA 004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Fiction Records 0030.281First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 10 / Fiction Records 2059 229First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | Stunn MSD 421First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Misprint · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Misprint · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Australia | Stunn MSD 421First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Australia | Stunn MSD 421First year12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Stunn MS 416 / 7 Records MS 4167", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Europe | Stunn MS 416 / 7 Records MS 4167", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Stunn MS 416 / 7 Records MS 4167", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
27 vinyl pressings of A Forest are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Germany, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Fiction Records FICS 10, released March 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FICS 10, FICSX 10, 0030.281, MSD 421) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICS 10 A// 1▽E STR STRAWBERRY and FICS 10 B// 1▽E STR STRAWBERRY. 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.
