Vinyl pressings
by The The · 1982
Uncertain Smile was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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.
EPC.A.2787 A3̶5 A STERLING ⋀Side A runout, variant 1
EPC.A.2787 B1 ⋀Side B runout, variant 1
EPC.A.2787 A3̶4 STERLING ⋀Side A runout, variant 2
EPC.A.2787 B1 ⋀Side B runout, variant 2
EPC·A· 2787 A2⃫4 STERLING A C1 ⋀Runout, Side A
EPC·A· 2787 B1 C1 ⋀Runout, Side B
EPC A2787A*Label, Side A
EPC A.13.2787-A-2 ∧Side A, runout, etched / stamped
EPC A-13-2787-B.1 ∧Side B, runout, etched / stamped
EPC A13 2787A*Side A, label
EPC-A13-2787-A T½Y cbs studios ORLAKESide A, Etched
EPC-A13-2787-B₂ ORLAKESide B, Etched
EPC A 2787 A-5 A STERLING ⋀ 1 1Runout side A
EPC A 2787 B1 ⋀ 3 4Runout side B
EPC A 13.2787. A2 ∧Side A runout
EPC A 13.2787. B1 1∧Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 810First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 810First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Europe | Epic EPCA 2787 / Some Bizzare A 2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Epic EPC A 2787First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 12-2787 / Epic A 12.2787First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Epic EPC A-2787First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Some Bizzare EPC A13 2787 / Epic EPC A 13-2787First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPCA 13.2787First year12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | UK | Some Bizzare EPC A2787 / Epic EPC A 2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A13 2787First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Some Bizzare EPC A13-2787 / Epic EPC A13-2787First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A2787First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Not On LabelFirst year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1982 | US | Sire 0-29878 / Sire 9 29878-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Uncertain Smile are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Some Bizzare EPC A 2787, released November 22, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC A 2787, EPC A13 2787, EPCA 13.2787, EPC A2787) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC.A.2787 A3̶5 A STERLING ⋀ and EPC.A.2787 B1 ⋀. 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.
