Vinyl pressings
by The Firesign Theatre · 1970
Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliers was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 2 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.
XSM153533-1K 2A PSide A runout stamped, variant 1
XSM153534-1AD A1 PSide B runout stamped, variant 1
XSM 153533 1-C PSide A runout etched, variant 2
XSM 153534 1-C P oSide B runout etched, variant 2
XSM 153533 1-B o Ƨ 1A side runout, var. 1
XSM 153534 1-B o 1 SB side runout, var. 1
XSM 153533 1-B o B1A side runout, var. 2
XSM 153534 1-B Ƨ o C 4B side runout, var. 2
XSM153533-1H 1T B 10Side A Runout - variant 1
XSM 153534 1-B o SXT B2Side B Runout - variant 1
XSM153533 1-A A12 T 1 9Side A Runout - variant 2
XSM 153534 1-A B5 T oSide B Runout - variant 2
XSM 153533A Side Label
XSM 153534B Side Label
/ XSM 153533 1-B ºA Side Etch, exc / and º stamp
2 XSM 153534 1-B ºB Side Etch, exc upside down 2 & º stamp
o XSM153533-1J \ Ƨ A 1Runout Side A
XSM153534-1E o P X SRunout Side B
XSM 153533A side label
XSM 153534B side label
XSM 153533 1-CSide 1 Variant 1, etched
XSM 153533 1-CSide 1Variant 2, etched
XSM153534-1ESide 2, stamped
XSM 153534 1-CSide 2, Variant 2, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | US | Columbia C 30102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia C 30102LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 30102LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia C 30102LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Don't Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me The Pliers are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia C 30102, released July 22, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C 30102) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSM153533-1K 2A P and XSM153534-1AD A1 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.
