Vinyl pressings
by Tyrone Brunson · 1982
The Smurf 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.
13 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 5 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.
AA 4Z9 03166- 4̶ -3 1Etched A side runout, variant 1
AB 4Z903166 - ̶3̶ -4 1Etched B side runout, variant 1
AB 4Z9 03166- 4̶ -3 1Etched A side runout, variant 2
AA 4Z903166 - ̶3̶ -4 1Etched B side runout, variant 2
ZS4 03163-3Side A label
ZS4 03163-4Side B label
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-3A Label
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-4B Label
1T AC 4Z9 03166- ̶3̶ 3 B6 STERLINGRunout A
1T AC 4Z9 03166 - ̶3̶ -4 B6 STERLINGRunout B
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-3A side label
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-4B side label
ZS4 03163-3Labels
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-3A Label
AA-AF 4Z9 03166-4B Label
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 | Brazil | Epic 46581 / Epic 46.581First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12-3024 / Epic A 12.3024First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Epic EPC A-3024First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A13 3024 / Epic EPC A13-3024First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A3024First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | UK | Epic EPC A3024First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream 4Z9 03166First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream ZS4 03163First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream ZS4 03163First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream 4Z9 03166First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream 4Z9 03166First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream 4Z9 03166First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Believe In A Dream ZS4 03163First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPCA 30247", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS XSSC 547612", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of The Smurf are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Believe In A Dream 4Z9 03166.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z9 03166, ZS4 03163, EPC A13 3024, EPC A3024) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 4Z9 03166- 4̶ -3 1 and AB 4Z903166 - ̶3̶ -4 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.
