Vinyl pressings
by Kevin Coyne · 1979
Babble was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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-2128-A1 W A Porky Prime Cut <Variant 1: Side A, etched
V-2128-B1 Porky 7Variant 1: Side B, etched
V-2128-A1 A Porky Prime Cut <Variant 2: Side A, etched
V-2128-B1 PorkyVariant 2: Side B, etched
160 2 933 780 A POLYGRAM 139 VIGStamped A-Side
A PORKY PRIME CUTEtched A-Side
VIG 139 160 2 933 780 B POLYGRAMStamped B-Side
A PORKY PRIME CUTEtched B-Side
̶1̶6̶0̶ 2 933 780 A POLYGRAM 139 VIG A1 A PORKY PRIME CUTRunout A-side
VIG A PORKY PRIME CUT 139 ̶1̶6̶0̶ 2 933 780 B POLYGRAM A2Runout B-side
200596 A-1/79S Made in Germany 020 A PORKY PRIME CUT
200596 B-1/79S Made in Germany A PORKY PRIME CUT 020
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Festival Records Pty. Ltd. L37056First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin L-37,056 / Virgin V-2128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 200 596-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2933 780First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 200 596 / Virgin 200 596-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 200 596-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Virgin 200596 / Virgin 200.596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin V2128 / Virgin V 2128First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin V2128LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIP-4099LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Babble are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin V2128.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2128, L37056, L-37,056, 200 596-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-2128-A1 W A Porky Prime Cut < and V-2128-B1 Porky 7. 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.
