Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1987
Sheila Take A Bow 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.
26 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
RTT-196-A1 A COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side A - variant 1
RTT-196-B-1 A TY1Runout side B - variant 1
RTT-196-A1 A COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side A - variant 2
RTT-196-B-1 3 A TY1Runout side B - variant 2
RT 196 A-1U-1- 1 → 5 COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side A, variant 1
RT 196 B-1U-1- 1 → 7 TY1Runout side B, variant 1
RT 196 A-1U-1- 1 1 9 COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side A, variant 2
TY1 RT 196 B-1U-1- 1 1 8Runout side B, variant 2
MPO RT 196 A1 COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSSide A, hand-etched
MPO RT 196 B1Side B, hand-etched
RT-196-A-1U-1- TY1Runout side A, variant 1
RT-196-B-1U-1- COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side B, variant 1
RT-196-B-1U-1- COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSRunout side A, variant 2
RT-196-A-1U-1- TY1Runout side B, variant 2
RTT 196 A-1U-1-2⇀3 COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSSide A runout, variant 1
RTT 196 B-1U-1-2⇀3 TY1Side B runout, variant 1
RTT 196 A-1U-1-2-2 COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSSide A runout, variant 2
RTT 196 B-1U-1-2-0 TY1Side B runout, variant 2
RTT 196 A-1U-1-2- COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSCOOKRun-out Side A, stamped, etched COOK BERNARD MATTHEWSCOOK
RTT 196 B-1U-1-2-1Run-out Side B, stamped
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 | Europe | Line Records 609 073First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Line Records 109 073First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Line Records 609 073First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00024 / Line Records LIS 1.00024 BFirst year7", Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LMS 3.00011 / Line Records LIEP 3.00011 EFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIEP 3.00011 E / Line Records LMS 3.00011First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00024 / Line Records LIS 1.00024 BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00024 / Line Records LIS 1.00024 BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Greece | Rough Trade VG 2086–ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Rough Trade RTT 196First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Rough Trade RT 196First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41 258 M / Rough Trade 41 258 MFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 196First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Rough Trade RT 196First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | UK | Rough Trade RT196First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
26 vinyl pressings of Sheila Take A Bow are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 196, released April 13, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 196, RT 196, RT196, 650758 6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RTT-196-A1 A COOK BERNARD MATTHEWS and RTT-196-B-1 A TY1. 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.
