Vinyl pressings
by Gary Numan · 1980
Telekon was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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.
BEGA 19 A2 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
BEGA 19 B3 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
BEGA 19 A3 •STRAWBERRY•Side A runout, variant 2
BEGA 19 - B2 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 2
BEGA 19 A2 2 W-18 STRAWBERRY•Side A runout
BEGA 19 B-2 2 W-17 STRAWBERRYSide B runout
BEGA 19 A*Side A label
BEGA 19 B*Side B label
W-5KD STRAWBERRY BEGA 19 A-1Runout A variant 1
WEA TIP.2 BEGA 19 B-1 STRAWBERRYRunout B variant 1
W-15 SAM 126 A-1 STRAWBERRYRunout C variant 1
W-23KD SAM 126 B-1 STRAWBERRYRunout D variant 1
BEGA 19 A2 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, etched, [stamped: STRAWBERRY] - variant 1
BEGA 19 B-2 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, etched, [stamped: STRAWBERRY] - variant 1
SAM 126 A-1 STRAWBERRYSide C runout, etched, [stamped: STRAWBERRY] - variant 1
SAM 126 B-1 STRAWBERRYSide D runout, etched, [stamped: STRAWBERRY] - variant 1
BEGA 19 A1 TP STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 1
BEGA 19 B2 TP STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
BEGA 19 A1 WEA TP STRAWBERRYSide A runout, variant 2
BEGA 19 B1 STRAWBERRY WEA TPSide B runout, variant 2
BEGA 19 A-3 STRAWBERRY 3Side A
BEGA 19 B-3 STRAWBERRY 3Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | WEA 600073First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Beggars Banquet XBEG 19First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Colombia | WEA 23(0731)00211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | WEA 58 189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Beggars Banquet BEGA 19 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 58 189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 146.603First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Beggars Banquet BEGA 58 189 / Beggars Banquet Bega 19First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | WEA 58189First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Beggars Banquet BEGA 19First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | Ireland | Beggars Banquet BEGA 19 / Beggars Banquet K 58189First yearLP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1980 | Israel | Atco Records BAN 58190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | WEA K 58189First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Italy | Wea K 58189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-10911A / Beggars Banquet P-10911AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-10911A / Beggars Banquet P-10911AFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | UK | Vinyl 180 Vin180LP037LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2015 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBQLP 19LP, Album, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQLP 19LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBL 19 LPELP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBQ2704LPELP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2704 LPXLP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition, Stereo |
| 2026 | UK | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2704 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
49 vinyl pressings of Telekon are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEGA 19, released September 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEGA 19, SAM 126, SD 32-103, 600073) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEGA 19 A2 STRAWBERRY and BEGA 19 B3 STRAWBERRY. 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.
