Vinyl pressings
by The Headboys · 1979
The Shape Of Things To Come 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.
20 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 12 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.
RSO40 A//1∇ E STR 1 4Var.1 - A-side runout, stamped
RSO 40 B//1∇ E STR 1 1Var.1 - B-side runout, stamped
RSO40 A//1∇E STR 11 19Var.2 - A-side - Stamped
RSO 40 B//1∇ESTR 11 2 1Var.2 - B-side - Stamped
RSO40 A//1▽E STR 11 11 STRAWBERRY.Side A runout
RSO 40 B//1▽ESTR 11 STRAWBERRY. 10Side B runout
RSO40 A//1∇ E STR 11 16A-Side - Stamped
RSO 40 B//1∇ESTR 1 1 20B-Side - Stamped
STRAWBERRY.Both Sides - Etched
RSO40 A//1∇ E STR 11 16 STRAWBERRYRunout side A
RSO 40 B//1∇ E STR 11 STRAWBERRY 12Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RSO 2090 386First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 386First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | RSO 2814 184First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | RSO 2090 386First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | RSO 2090 386First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Guatemala | RSO 2090 495First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | RSO RSO 40First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Mexico | RSO 1101 / RSO 2090 386First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RSO 2090 386First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RSO Poly 50First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | RSO PS 1113First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS 1005First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS 1005First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS 1005 / RSO 2090 386First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | RSO RSO 40 / RSO 2090 386First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | RSO 2090 3867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | RSO 2090 3867", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | RSO DWQ60797", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of The Shape Of Things To Come are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RSO RSO 40, released July 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RSO 40, RS 1005, 2090 386, 2090 495) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RSO40 A//1∇ E STR 1 4 and RSO 40 B//1∇ E STR 1 1. 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.
