Vinyl pressings
by Bryan Ferry · 1987
Bête Noire was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 18 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.
V 2474 A-1U-1-3 D TOWN HOUSE DMMA side runout, variant 1
V 2474 B-2U-1-2-10 D TOWN HOUSEB side runout, variant 1
V 2474 A-2U-1-1- M16 DA side runout, variant 2
V 2474 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DB side runout, variant 2
1-25598-A-SH1 DMM B-29041-SH1-DMM MASTERDISK △18143 1-1Side A runout, variant 1
1-25598-B-SH1 DMM B-29042-SH1-DMM △18143-X 1-3Side B runout, variant 1
1-25598-A-SH1-DMM B-29041-SH1-DMM MASTERDISK △18143 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
1-25598-B-SH1-DMM B-29042-SH1-DMM △18143-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
1-25598-A-SR1 DMM SP1-1 MasterdiskSide A runout, var. 1
1-25598-B-SH1-DMM B-29042-SH1-DMM AL-SP △18143-X 1̶-̶2̶Side B runout, var. 1
1-25598-A-SH1-DMM B-29041-SH1-DMM AL-SP 0-1 MASTERDISK △18143 1̶-̶2̶Side A runout, var. 2
1-25598-B-SR1 DMM SP1-1Side B runout, var. 2
1-25598-A-SR1 . DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
1-25598-B-SR1 DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide B runout, variant 1
1-25598-A-SR1 DMM SP 1-1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
1-25598-B-SR1 DMM SP 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
DM 208711 A-1/9-87Runout side A, variant 1
DM 208711 B-1/9-87Runout side B, variant 1
DM 208711 A-1/9-87 IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 208711 B-1/9-87 IIRunout side B, variant 2
V 〄 V-2474A 111+ JRunout Side 1
V-2474A 111++Runout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Virgin V2474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 130.8023 / Virgin 7138023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 130 8023 / Virgin 130.8023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 130 8023 / Virgin 130.8023First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Reprise Records 92 55981First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Reprise Records W1 25598LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Reprise Records 92 55981First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70567First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50311First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50311First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin V2474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Virgin V2474-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin V2474First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | Virgin LAE · 761 / Virgin LAE - 761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Virgin V-4696 / Virgin V2474First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Brazil | Virgin 066 427057 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Worldwide | BMG 964185131 / BMG 4099964185133LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
33 vinyl pressings of Bête Noire are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Virgin V2474, released November 2, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2474, 9 25598-1, 208 711, VJL-28002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2474 A-1U-1-3 D TOWN HOUSE DMM and V 2474 B-2U-1-2-10 D TOWN HOUSE. 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.
