Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1985
The Headmaster Ritual 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.
11 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
MD 5290 - A 57081Runout Side A, variant 1
MD 5290 - B 57112-1Runout Side B, variant 1
MD 5290 - A 57081Runout Side A, variant 2
MD 5290 -B//57112-1Runout Side B, variant 2
MD 5290 - A 57081Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
MD 5290 - B 57112-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
MD 5290 - A 57081Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
MD 5290-B//57112-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
MD 125295-A/57 261-1Side A runout - Stamped
MD 125295-B/57262-1Side B runout - Stamped
MD 5290 - A 57081
MD 125295-A/57 261-1Side A runout
MD 125295-B/57 262-1Side B runout
MD 125295-A/57 261-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
MD 125295-B/57 262-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
MD 125295-A/57 261-1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
MD 125295-B/57262-1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
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 | Benelux | Megadisc MD 5290 / Megadisc MD-52907", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5290 / Megadisc MD-5290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 7999/01First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125295First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Sire PRO-A-2333First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records MD 52957", Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2009 | UK | Rhino Records MD 5295 / Megadisc MD 52957", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Reissue, Remastered | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Sire MD 5295 / Sire R7 5187657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Sire MD 5295 / Sire R7 5187657", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of The Headmaster Ritual are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1985 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Netherlands, US. One of them is Megadisc MD 5290, released July 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MD 5290, MD 125295, MD 7999/01, PRO-A-2333) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MD 5290 - A 57081 and MD 5290 - B 57112-1. 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.
