Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1987
Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before 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.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 6 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.
7-28136-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19128- SH2 ∆18623 1-1Side A runout, hand etched
7-28136-B - SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19129- SH2 ∆18623-X 1-1Side B runout, hand etched
7-28136-ASide A label
7-28136-BSide B label
7-28136-A-SR2 [SRC]Runout A
7 26136B SR2 1-1 [SRC]Runout B
7-28136-ALabel A
7-28136-BLabel B
7-28136-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19128- SH2 △ 18623 1-1Sides A + B runout
7-28136-ASides A + B label
ᆼ A C-1.00 025-B CS-B-IIIRunout side A
ᆼ A C-1.00 025-A CS-B-IIIRunout side AA
ᆼC-1.00 025 - A/2 EDSide A runout
ᆼC-1.00 025 - B/ 2 BNSide AA 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 | Canada | Sire 92 81367First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 81367First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Line Records 609 438First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LMS 3.00013 / Line Records LIEP 3.00013 EFirst year12", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00025 B / Line Records LS 1.00025First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LMS 3.00013 / Line Records LIEP 3.00013 EFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125280First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD125280First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | US | Sire PRO-A-2893First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Sire 7-28136-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Sire 9 28136-7 / Rough Trade 9 28136-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1987 | US | Sire 9 28136-7 / Sire 7-28136First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00025 B / Line Records LS 1.00025First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00025 B / Line Records LS 1.00025First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5280First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Sire 9 28136-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 28136-7, PRO-A-2893, 7-28136-A, LIS 1.00025 B) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-28136-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19128- SH2 ∆18623 1-1 and 7-28136-B - SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-19129- SH2 ∆18623-X 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.
