Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1985
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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 191-A2 ARTY BLOODY FARTYSide A - variant 1
RTT 191-B2 "IS THAT CLEVER"... JMSide B - variant 1
RTT 191-A2 ARTY BLOODY FARTY Ʌ 2Side A, etched/stamped - variant 2
RTT 191-B2 "IS THAT CLEVER"... JM Ʌ 0Side B, etched/stamped - variant 2
RT 191A-1U-1-1114 ARTY BLOODY FARTY GDVariant 1: Side A runout
RT 191B-1U-1-1115 "IS THAT CLEVER" JMVariant 1: Side B runout
RT 191A -1U-1-1-1 ARTY BLOODY FARTY GDVariant 2: Side A runout
RT 191B -1U-1-1-x1 "IS THAT CLEVER" JMVariant 2: Side B runout
GD ARTY BLOODY FARTYSide A, hand-etched on all variants
“IS THAT CLEVER” JMSide B, hand-etched on all variants
RT 191A -1U-1-1 ⇀ x1Side A, stamped [Variant 1]
RT 191B -1U-1-1 – 14Side B, stamped [Variant 1]
MPO RT 191 A² ARTY BLOODY FARTYSide A run out, etched
MPO RT 191 B² "IS THAT CLEVER" JMSide B run out, etched
ARTY BLOODY FARTYSide A, hand-etched (All variants)
"IS THAT CLEVER"... JMSide B, hand-etched (All variants)
RTT 191A-1U-1-1⇀Side A, stamped (Variant 1)
RTT 191B-1U-1-1⇀1Side B, stamped (Variant 1)
MPO RT 191 A2 ARTY BLOODY FARTYSide A runout - etched
MPO RT 191 B2 "IS THAT CLEVER... JMSide B runout - etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ012First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ012First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Rough Trade 608.7000 / Rough Trade 79.500First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Sire 92 03920 / Rough Trade 92 03920First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 80208 / Rough Trade 80208First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Rough Trade RTT 191First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Rough Trade RTT 191First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45162 / Rough Trade VIN 45162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125294First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 12010First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Portugal | Rough Trade RT 191First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41 159 M / Nuevos Medios 45 159First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Sweden | Rough Trade RTT191First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Sweden | Rough Trade RT 191First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN1917", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN1917", Single, Repress, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Repress, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | USA & Europe | Warner Bros. Records TSRSD 20177", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
37 vinyl pressings of The Boy With The Thorn In His Side are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1985 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 191, released September 16, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 191, RT 191, 0-20392, RTANZ 12010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RTT 191-A2 ARTY BLOODY FARTY and RTT 191-B2 "IS THAT CLEVER"... JM. 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.
