Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1987
Shoplifters Of The World Unite 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.
21 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 195 A(digit scratched out)3 ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGERunout, A-side variant 1
RTT 195 B-1U-1- TimTomRunout, B-side variant 1
RTT 195 A (digit scratched out)3 ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGE ARunout, A-side variant 2
RTT 195 B-1U-1 TimTom 2 ARunout, B-side variant 2
MPO RT 195 A² ALF RAMSEY`S REVENGESide A, hand-etched
MPO RT 195 B¹ TimtomSide B, hand-etched
RT 195 A-2U-1-1⇀T4 ALF RAMSEY`S REVENGESide A runout
RT195 B-1U-1-1-7 TimtomSide B runout
ALF RAMSEY`S REVENGESide A, hand-etched
TimtomSide B, hand-etched
RT 195 A-2U-1-11Side A, stamped, variant 1
RT195 B-1U-1-/-6Side B, stamped, variant 1
RTT 195 A-4U-1-1- ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGERunout A-side, variant 1
RTT 195 B-1U-1-2 1: timtomRunout B-side, variant 1
RTT 195 A-4U-1-1- ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGERunout A-side, variant 2
RTT 195 B-1U-1-2⇀7 timtomRunout B-side, variant 2
RTT 195 A 3 A ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGESide A runout
RTT 195 B - 1U - 1 - timtom ASide B runout
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 108 945First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Line Records 608 945First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIEP 3.00009 / Line Records LIEP 3.00009 EFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00020 B / Line Records LIS 1.00020First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records 3.0000912", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RT 195First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Rough Trade RTT 195First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41 243 M / Rough Trade 41 243 MFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Rough Trade RTT195First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1987 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 195First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIEP 3.00009 / Line Records LIEP 3.00009 EFirst year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Ireland | Rough Trade RTT 195First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Rough Trade RT 195First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Rough Trade RT 195First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Rough Trade RT 195First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of Shoplifters Of The World Unite are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 195, released January 26, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 195, RT 195, RTT195, PRO-A-2712) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RTT 195 A(digit scratched out)3 ALF RAMSEY'S REVENGE and RTT 195 B-1U-1- TimTom. 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.
