Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1987
Louder Than Bombs was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
1-25569 A SH5 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-26800 SH5 △15828 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1 25569 B SR5 1-1 B26801 SRCSide B runout, variant 1
1 25569 C SR5 1-3 B-26802 SRCSide C runout, variant 1
1-25569-D-SH7 Kdisc L [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-26803-SH7 △15829-X 1-1Side D runout, variant 1
1 25569 A SR6 1-1Side A, Variant 1
1 25569 B SR5 1-1Side B, Variant 1
1 25569 C SR5 1-3Side C, Variant 1
1 25569-D SR5 1-3Side D, Variant 1
1 25569 A SR6 1-1 [SRC Logo]Variant 1: A side runout
1 25569 B SR5 1-3 [SRC Logo]Variant 1: B side runout
1 25569 C SR5 1-1 [SRC Logo]Variant 1: C side runout
1-25569-D SR5 1-1 [SRC Logo]Variant 1: D side runout
1 25569 A SR6 1-1Side A runout
1 25569 B SR5 1-1Side B runout
1 25569 C SR5 1-3Side C runout
1 25569-D SR5 1-3Side D runout
92-55691 A1 CRRunout side 1, etched ["CR" in a circle, stamped], variant 1
92-55691 B1 ➂ CRRunout side 2, etched ["CR" in a circle, stamped], variant 1
92-55691-C1 CRRunout side 3, etched ["CR" in a circle, stamped], variant 1
92-55691-D1 CRRunout side 4, etched ["CR" in a circle, stamped], variant 1
92-55691 A1 CRRunout side A
92-55691 B1 CRRunout side B
92-55691 C1 CRRunout side C
92-55691 D1 CRRunout side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 55691 / Rough Trade 92 55691First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | Sire W1 55691 / Rough Trade 552737LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Sire W1 25569 / Rough Trade W1 25569LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 55691 / Rough Trade 92 55691First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25569 / Sire 9 25569-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Sire W1-25569 / Rough Trade W1-25569LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | Sire 9 25569-1First yearLP, Compilation, Mispress | LP, Compilation, Mispress |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25569 / Sire 9 25569-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Sire 125569LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25569 / Sire 9 25569-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 255LP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1988 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 255LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 255LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1989 | Brazil | Stiletto 270.4001LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Brazil | Stiletto 270.4001LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 255LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Europe | Sire 2564665877LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2011 | US | Sire R1 529382LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | US | Sire R1 529382LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Sire 2564665877LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Europe | Not On Label (The Smiths)LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Sire 92 55691 / Rough Trade 92 55691LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
23 vinyl pressings of Louder Than Bombs are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Canada. One of them is Sire 1-25569, released March 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-25569, 9 25569-1, 92 55691) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25569 A SH5 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-26800 SH5 △15828 1-1 and 1 25569 B SR5 1-1 B26801 SRC. 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.
