Vinyl pressings
by Depeche Mode · 1990
Policy Of Truth was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 14 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.
12BONG19-A ✱ MR PARANOIA-GET HIM A LAWYER COPYMASTERS MILES BA side var 1
12BONG19-B ✱ MR ERRATIC-TOYS IN THE ATTIC D MAXB side var 1
12BONG- 19- A. ✱ MR PARANOIA - GET HIM A LAWYER. COPYMASTERS. MILES. MAX.A side var 2
12 BONG- 19 - B. ✱ MR ERRATIC - TOYS IN THE ATTIC MAX.B side var 2
BONG19A MR.ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC JA MPORunout side A, variant 1
MR.ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC BONG19B DAMONTRunout side B, variant 1
BONG 19A1 MR. ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC JA -|- MPO DAMONTRunout side A, variant 2
MR ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC. BONG 19 B1 P DAMONTRunout side B, variant 2
DAMONT L12BONG19A1 COPYMASTERS Miles I SPOKE TO THE FAT ONE TODAY.Runout side A variant 1
NO RICHARD. WE'RE NOT OKAY. L12BONG19B1 3 FRunout side B, variant 1
L 12 BONG 19 A1 COPYMASTERS .Miles. DAMONT I SPOKE TO THE FAT ONE TODAY. LRunout side A, variant 2
L 12 BONG 19 B1 2 DAMONT NO RICHARD, WE'RE NOT OKAY. 4Runout side A, variant 2
BONG 19 A1 MR ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC JA DAMONTRunout etched side A - variant 1
BONG 19 B1 DAMONT z MR ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTICRunout etched side B - variant 1
BONG 19 A1 MR. ERRATIC TOYS IN THE ATTIC JA - DAMONTRunout etched side A - variant 2
BONG 19 B1 - DAMONT MR. ERRATIC BOYS IN THE ATTICRunout etched side B - variant 2
DAMONT E L12 BONG 19-A3Runout side A
DAMONT A L12 BONG 19-B3Runout side B
DAMONT E L12 BONG 19- A3 IRunout side A
DAMONT L12 BONG 19 B2 NO RICHARD, WE'RE NOT O.K. 4 COPYMASTERS.MILES.Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | ABR Discos TI 790 / Mute TI 790First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Argentina | ABR Discos TI 790 / Mute TI 790First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| 1990 | Belgium | Indisc BONG 1246019 / Mute BONG 1246019First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1990 | Europe | Mute BONG 46019First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | Virgin 80533 / Mute 80533First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Misprint · Limited |
| 1990 | France | Mute 80531 / Virgin 80 531First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | Mute 90604 / Virgin 90604First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Greece | Virgin VG 2165Z / Mute VG 2165ZFirst year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Italy | Mute BONGX19First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Italy | Mute BONG 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Italy | Mute BONG197", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Mexico | WEA PYP 021 / Reprise Records PYP 021First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | Mute 12 BONG 19 / Sanni Records 12 BONG 19First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Spain | Sanni Records L12 BONG 19 / Mute L12 BONG 19First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | Spain | Sanni Records BONG 19 / Mute BONG 19First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | B+H Records PUR 1141Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Mono, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Limited | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Mono, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Mono, Limited |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 BONG 1912", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute PBONG 197", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
45 vinyl pressings of Policy Of Truth are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Sweden, Germany and more. One of them is Mute 12 BONG 19, released May 7, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 BONG 19, BONG 19, L12 BONG 19, P12 BONG 19) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12BONG19-A ✱ MR PARANOIA-GET HIM A LAWYER COPYMASTERS MILES B and 12BONG19-B ✱ MR ERRATIC-TOYS IN THE ATTIC D MAX. 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.
