Vinyl pressings
by Boney M. · 1978
Rivers Of Babylon was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
117 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 35 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.
047 11999 A-12/78S M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶Runout, side A, variant 1
047 11999 B-4/78SRunout, side B, variant 1
047 11999 A-12/78S M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶Runout, side A, variant 2
047 11999 B-5/78SRunout, side B, variant 2
11999 A-6/78SRunout, variant 1, side A
11999 B-5/78SRunout, variant 1, side B
11999 A-8/78SRunout, variant 2, side A
11999 B-5/78SRunout, variant 2, side B
11999 A-13/78S IIRunout, variant 1, side A
11999 B-5/78S Made in GermanyRunout, variant 1, side B
11999 A-13/78S Made in Germany IIIRunout, variant 2, side A
11999 B-5/78S III Made in GermanyRunout, variant 2, side B
11999 A-6/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 1, side A
11999 B-4/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 1, side B
002 11999 A-12/78S M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶ Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 2, side A
002 11999 B-5/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 2, side B
11999 A-13/78S VR 08-10325-1A-1Runout, side A
VR-08-10325-1B-2 11999-B 1135558-2-4Runout, side B
002 11999 A-6/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 1, side A, stamped
002 11999 B-4/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 1, side B, stamped
002 11999 A-8/78S Manufactured in GermanyRunout, variant 2, side A, stamped
002 11999 B-4/78SRunout, variant 2, side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | RCA Victor 41A-2937First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | Atlantic 45-1872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Benelux | Hansa International 11 999 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Brazil | RCA 101.8094First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Bulgaria | Hansa 11 999 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic MS 1872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic MS 1872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Atlantic MS 1872First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Chile | RCA CHANS-005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Colombia | Swing AT-16964First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Ecuador | RCA 200746 / RCA Victor ECK-200746First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | El Salvador | RCA 11999 AT / RCA CA-10302First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | El Salvador | RCA 11999 AT / RCA CA-10302First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | France | Carrere 49.359 / Hansa Records 49.359First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Carrere 49.359 / Hansa 49.359First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | Hansa S-3797", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Atlantic K 11120 / Hansa K 111207", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Atlantic K 11120 / Hansa Records K 111207", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1988 | UK | Old Gold OG 97837" | 7" |
| 1988 | UK | Old Gold OG 97837" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Madagascar | Carrere 49.3597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Madagascar | Disques Carrere 49 3597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Netherlands | Hansa International 11 999 AT7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Philippines | Inter Global Music IGM-0297", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Unofficial, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Partially Unofficial, Stereo |
| ? | Poland | Tonpress R-0837Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc |
| ? | Poland | Tonpress R-0837Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Picture disc |
| ? | UK | Atlantic K11120 / Hansa Records K111207", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
130 vinyl pressings of Rivers Of Babylon are listed here, from 37 countries, released between 1978 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, US, Argentina and more. One of them is Hansa International 11 999 AT, released April 3, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 11 999 AT, K 11120, K11120, SRE 1027) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 047 11999 A-12/78S M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶ and 047 11999 B-4/78S. 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.
