Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1981
Charlotte Sometimes was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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 14 A//1▽EM 11 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
FICS 14 B//1▽EM 12Side B runout, variant 1
FICS 14 A//1▽EM 1 2 2 ARUNSide A runout, variant 2
FICS 14 B/ //1 ▽ EM 1 2 3Side B runout, variant 2
FICSX 14 A//1▽EM 1 1 1Side A runout, variant 1
FICSX 14 B//1▽EM 1 1 4Side B runout, variant 1
FICSX 14 A//1▽EM 1 1 8Side A runout, variant 2
FICSX 14 B//1▽EM 1 1 8Side B runout, variant 2
FICSX 14 A//1▽EM 1 1 8Side A runout, stamped
FICSX 14 B//2▽EM 1 1 8Side B runout, stamped
FICS 14 A//1▽EM 11 ARUNSide A, stamped/etched runout
FICS 14 B//1▽EM 12 ARUNSide B, stamped/etched runout
160 2059410 1 380 POLYGRAMSide A runout, stamped
160 2059410 2 380 POLYGRAMSide B runout, stamped
Å MX200802 CURE 7001-1Side A runout, stamped
Å MX200803 CURE 7001-2Side B runout, stamped
MX200802Side A label
MX200803Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Fiction Records CURE 7001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Fiction Records CURE 7001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Fiction Records CURE 12001First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Fiction Records 0930.041First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2059 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Stunn STUNN 020First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Polydor 20 59 410 / Fiction Records 20 59 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Fiction Records FICSX14First year12", Single, White Label | 12", Single, White Label |
| 1981 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Polydor 2059 410First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Fiction Records FICSX 14First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Stunn BFA 0207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Polydor 885 356-112", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", EP, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1986 | Europe | Polydor 2059 4107", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Fiction Records 885 356-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | буд кон д60 2635Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Charlotte Sometimes are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, France, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Fiction Records FICS 14, released October 13, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FICS 14, FICSX 14, FICSX14, 2059 410) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICS 14 A//1▽EM 11 ARUN and FICS 14 B//1▽EM 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.
