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Three Imaginary Boys by The Cure, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Three Imaginary Boys

by The Cure · 1979

54 pressings13 countriesNew WavePost-PunkRock

Three Imaginary Boys was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of Three Imaginary Boys

9 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.

UK

May 1979
Label and catalog number
Fiction Records FIX 1Fiction Records 2442 163
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

FIX 1 A//1▽E STR 14 11 STRAWBERRY THE GATWICK SOUNDRunout side A, variant 1

FIX 1 B//1▽E STR 11 15 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 1

FIX 1 A//1▽E STR 14 5 STRAWBERRY THE GATWICK SOUNDRunout side A, variant 2

FIX 1 B//1▽E STR 11 18 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Germany

May 11, 1979
Label and catalog number
Fiction Records 0060.334
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

0703 740 S1 0060334 320Runout side A, variant 1

0703 740 S2=3 0060 334 S2 320Runout side B, variant 1

0703 740 S1 0060334 320 K 1Runout side A, variant 2

0703 740 S2=3 0060 334 S2 320 G 1Runout side B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

France

1979
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2383 539Fiction Records 2383 539
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

POL 160 2383539 1 380 POLYGRAM ΛStamped A side

2383539 POL 160 2 DU1 380 POLYGRAM Λ 8Stamped B side

2383539 1Printed on A side label

2383539 2Printed on B side label

Full details of this pressing

France

1979
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2383 539Fiction Records 2383 539
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

POL 160 2383539 1 380 POLYGRAM ARunout side A

2383539 POL 160 ̷2̷3̷8̷3̷ ̷5̷3̷9̷ 2 DU 1 380 POLYGRAM A8Runout side B

2383 539 1Label side A

2383 539 2Label side B

Full details of this pressing

France

1979
Label and catalog number
Polydor 2383 539Fiction Records 2383 539
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

POL 160 2383539 1 380 POLYGRAM Λ2Runout side A, stamped

POL 160 2383539 2 380 POLYGRAM Λ2Runout side B, stamped

2383 539 1Label side A

2383 539 2Label side B

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 54 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s10 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1979FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GermanyFiction Records 0060.334First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GermanyFiction Records 0060.334 / Fiction Records Fix 1First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979NetherlandsPolydor 2442 163 / Fiction Records 2442 163First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979UKFiction Records FIX 1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing
1979IrelandFiction Records FIX 1 / Polydor 2442 163First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1979GermanyFiction Records 0060.334First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1980s14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980New ZealandPolydor 2383 560 / Fiction Records 2383 560LP, AlbumLP, Album
1982AustraliaFiction Records CURE 001LP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1982AustraliaFiction Records CURE 001LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1982ItalyPolydor 2383 560 / Fiction Records 2383 560LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1982ItalyPolydor 2383 560 / Fiction Records 2383 560LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1982ItalyPolydor 2383 560 / Fiction Records 2383 560LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1982New ZealandStunn STUNN 019LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1984FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1984AustraliaSire 250623-1 / Fiction Records 250623-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1986FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1986FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1986SpainPolydor 23 83 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1988ArgentinaPolydor 2442 163 / Polydor 29107LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1989SpainPolydor 23 83 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1990FrancePolydor 827 6861 / Fiction Records 827 6861LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1990SpainPolydor 841 186-1 / Fiction Records 841 186-1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1993RussiaAnTrop Π93 00691/2LP, Album, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
1999UKFiction Records P-FIX1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture discLP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Picture disc
2000s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2005UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Polydor 2442 163LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
2007RussiaVinyl Lovers 990130 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
2007EuropeLilith LRI30P / Lilith LR130LPPLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture discLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc
2007RussiaLilith LR130 / Lilith LR 130 LPLP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2007RussiaLilith LR130LP, Album, Misprint, ReissueLP, Album, Misprint, Reissue
2010s5 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2012EuropeFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 0600753381120LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinylLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl
2016EuropePolydor 244163LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
2016EuropeFiction Records 0602547875327 / Fiction Records FIX 1LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2016USFiction Records R1 523247 / Rhino Vinyl R1 523247LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2018USFiction Records R1 523247 / Elektra R1 523247LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, RepressLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress
2020s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2021RussiaLilith LR 130 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
2022EuropeFiction Records 0602547875327 / Fiction Records FIX 1LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown14 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaStunn STUN-510LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?FrancePolydor 2383 539 / Fiction Records 2383 539LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?GermanyFiction Records 0060.334LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?NetherlandsFiction Records FIX 1B / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, AlbumLP, Album
?RussiaLilith LR130 / Lilith LR 130 LPLP, Album, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
?SpainPolydor 23 83 539 / Fiction Records 23 83 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?SpainPolydor 23 83 539 / Fiction Records 23 83 539LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records FIX 1BLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, AlbumLP, Album
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
?UKFiction Records FIX 1 / Fiction Records 2442 163LP, AlbumLP, Album

Tracklist

  1. A110:15 Saturday Night3:40
  2. A2Accuracy2:16
  3. A3Grinding Halt2:48
  4. A4Another Day3:41
  5. A5Object2:59
  6. A6Subway Song1:56
  7. B1Foxy Lady2:26
  8. B2Meathook2:16
  9. B3So What?2:33
  10. B4Fire In Cairo3:19
  11. B5It's Not You2:49
  12. B6Three Imaginary Boys3:13
  13. B7The Weedy Burton0:50

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Three Imaginary Boys are there?

54 vinyl pressings of Three Imaginary Boys are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1979 and 2022.

When was Three Imaginary Boys first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Ireland, Germany, France and more. One of them is Fiction Records FIX 1, released May 1979.

How do I tell if my copy of Three Imaginary Boys is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FIX 1, 0060.334, 2383 539, 2442 163) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FIX 1 A//1▽E STR 14 11 STRAWBERRY THE GATWICK SOUND and FIX 1 B//1▽E STR 11 15 STRAWBERRY. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Three Imaginary Boys on vinyl worth?

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.

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