Vinyl pressings
by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions · 1985
Brand New Friend was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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.
COLEX 4 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 1 BILBO.TAPE ONERun-out, side A, variant 1
COLEX 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 BILBO. TAPE OneRun-out, side B, variant 1
COLEX 4 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 BILBO.TAPE ONERun-out, side A, variant 2
COLEX 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 BILBO. TAPE OneRun-out, side B, variant 2
COLE 4 A//1∇420 T 1 BILBO. TAPE ONE. 2Runout side A, variant 1
COLE 4 B//1∇420 T 1 11 BILBO. TAPE ONE.Runout side B, variant 1
COLE 4 A//1∇420 T 1 BILBO. TAPE ONE. 1Runout side A, variant 2
COLE 4 B//1∇420 T 1 2 BILBO. TAPE ONE.Runout side B, variant 2
COLE 4 A//1∇420 T 1 2Side A stamped
BILBO. TAPE ONE.Side A etched
COLE 4 B//1∇420 T 1Side B stamped
BILBO. TAPE ONE.Side B etched
COLE 4 A//1∇420 T 1 2Side A stamped, variant 1
COLE 4 B//1∇420 T 1Side B stamped, variant 1
COLE 4 A//1∇420 T 1 3 BILBO TAPE one 1 0Side A stamped (except BILBO TAPE one, etched), variant 2
COLE 4 B//1∇420 T 1 3 8 BILBO TAPE oneSide B stamped (except BILBO TAPE one, etched), variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australasia | Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Polydor 883 352-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 87247First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 87247First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | Polydor 883 352-7 / Polydor 883352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 883 352-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Polydor COLE 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Polygram 883 352-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Polydor COLE 4 / Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor COLE 4 / Polydor 883 352-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Polydor COLE 4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
31 vinyl pressings of Brand New Friend are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor COLEX 4, released September 9, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use COLEX 4, COLE 4, Cole DJ4, COLE 4 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COLEX 4 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 1 BILBO.TAPE ONE and COLEX 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 BILBO. TAPE One. 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.
