Vinyl pressings
by Billy Idol · 1988
Idol Songs - 11 Of The Best was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
BILTV 1-A4Runout, Side A, Etched, variant 1
BILTV-1-B2Runout, Side B, Etched, variant 1
BILTV · 1 A6Runout, Side A, Etched, variant 2
BILTV · 1 B3Runout, Side B, Etched, variant 2
BILTVD 1 A2Side 1, variant 1
BILTVD 1 B1Side 2, variant 1
BILTVD 1 C4Side 3, variant 1
BILTVD 1 D1Side 4, variant 1
BILTV 1-A4 DSide A runout, etched, variant 1
BILTV-1-B-2Side B runout, etched, variant 1
BILTV 1 A 3 CSide A runout, etched, variant 2
BILTV-1-B-2 DSide B runout, etched, variant 2
DM209118 A-1/6-88Runout side A, variant 1
DM209118 B-1/6-88Runout side B, variant 1
DM209118 A-2/7 88 IIIRunout side A, variant 2
DM209118 B-1/6-88 IIRunout side B, variant 2
DM209118 A-1/6-88 IIIRunout side A, stamped [III etched]
DM209118 B-1/6-88 IIRunout side B, stamped [II etched]
S 209 118 ALabel side A
S 209 118 BLabel side B
DM209118 A-1/6-88Runout side A, variant 1
DM209118 B-1/6-88Runout side B, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 209 118First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 209 118First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 209 118First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 209 118LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Germany | Chrysalis 1C 064 3 21660 1 DMMFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Germany | Chrysalis 36 313-5 / Sonocord 36 313-5First yearLP, Compilation, Special Edition | LP, Compilation, Special Edition |
| 1988 | Germany | Chrysalis 209 118First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Chrysalis 75202First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Greece | Chrysalis 75202First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Guatemala | Dideca 33381First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Israel | Chrysalis BILTV1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1660First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis CHRV 1660First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis 64 3216601LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1988 | Italy | Chrysalis CHRV 1660First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | Som Livre 407.0046LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | South Korea | Chrysalis CKPL-0021 BILTV 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Idol Songs - 11 Of The Best are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1988 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Europe, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is Chrysalis BILTV 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BILTV 1, BILTVD 1, 209 118, 1C 064 3 21660 1 DMM) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BILTV 1-A4 and BILTV-1-B2. 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.
