Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1983
The Lovecats was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1983, 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+P+19+A ORLAKEHand etched A side, variant 1
FICS+19+PHand etched B side, variant 1
FICS+P+19+A ORLAKEHand etched A side, variant 2
FICS+19+B ORLAKEHand etched B side, variant 2
FICS 19 A3 ARUN MPOSide A runout, variant 2
FICS 19 B3 MPOSide B runout, variant 2
FICS 19 A2 ARUN MPOSide A runout, variant 3
FICS 19 B1 MPOSide B runout, variant 3
FICSX 19 A // 1 ▽420 RStamped A side, variant 1
FICSX 19 B // 2 ▽420 RStamped B side, variant 1
FICSX 19 A // 2 ▽420 R 1 1 1Stamped A side, variant 2
FICSX 19 B // 2 ▽420 R 1 1 2Stamped B side, variant 2
FICS 19 A//1 ▽ 420 R 11 ARUNSide A runout, variation 1
FICS 19 B//1 ▽ 420 R 11Side B runout, variation 1
FICS 19 A//1 ▽ 420 R 13 / ARUNSide A runout, variation 2
FICS 19 B//1 ▽ 420 R 11 3 USide B runout, variation 2
FICS 19 A//1 ▽ 420 R 1 1Stamped A Side runout
FICS 19 B//1 ▽ 420 R 1 1Stamped B Side runout
ARUNHand-etched A Side
FICS 19 A//1▽420R 1130 ARUNRunout Side A, Variation 1
FICS 19 B//3▽420W 114Runout Side B, Variation 1
FICS 19 A//1▽420 R 11 ARUN 21Runout Side A, Variation 2
FICS 19B//2▽420W 11 1Runout Side B, Variation 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 01610 / Fiction Records 92 01610First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Polydor 815 570-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Fiction Records 815 570-1 / Fiction Records 815 570-1 MEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Fiction Records 815 570-7 / Fiction Records 815 570-7 MEFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Fiction Records 815 570-7 / Fiction Records 815 570-7 MEFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Polydor 815 570-7 / Fiction Records FICS 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3762-A / Polydor PRO-3762-BFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Philippines | Polydor EP-PRO-8420First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | Polydor PS 8046First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 19First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Sire 9 20161-0A / Fiction Records 9 20161-0AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Sire 7-29376 / Fiction Records 7-29376First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Sire 7-29376 / Fiction Records 7-29376First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | US | Sire 0-20161 / Sire 20161-0AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Fiction Records 815 570-1 / Fiction Records 815 570-1 ME12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Not On Label GC CR-00112", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2003 | US | Not On Label GC CR-00112", White Label | 12", White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Sire 92 01610 / Fiction Records 92 0161012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Sire 92 01610 / Fiction Records 92 0161012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Sire 92 0161012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Sire 92 01610 / Fiction Records 92 0161012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress |
42 vinyl pressings of The Lovecats are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is Fiction Records FICSP 19, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FICSP 19, FICS 19, ficsx 19, 9 20161-0A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICS+P+19+A ORLAKE and FICS+19+P. 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.
