Vinyl pressings
by Rachel Sweet · 1978
B-A-B-Y / Suspended Animation was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
BUY 39 A-2U ANGELVariant 1: stamped + etched side A
BUY 39 B-1U SA MAX BELL IS FAB!Variant 1: stamped + etched side B
BUY 39 A-1U P S.A ON THE TRAIN.Variant 2: stamped + etched side A
BUY 39 B-1U C11 SA MAX BELL IS FAB!Variant 2: stamped + etched side B
BUY 39 A-2U ANGELStamped + etched side A
BUY 39 B-1U SA MAX BELL IS FAB!Stamped + etched side B
BUY 39 A-1U P S.A ON THE TRAIN.Variant 2 stamped + etched side A
BUY 39 B-1U C11 SA MAX BELL IS FAB!Variant 2 stamped + etched side B
BUY 39 A-2U RM ANGEL 1Runout side A
BUY 39 B-1U RD SA MAX BELL IS FAB! 1Runout side B
BUY 39 A-2U RO ANGEL 1Side A stamped, etched variant 1
BUY 39 B-2U RO 1Side B stamped variant 1
BUY 39 A-2U G7 ANGEL 1Side A stamped, etched variant 2
BUY 39 B-2U RM 1Side B stamped variant 2
BUY 39 A-2U C A ANGEL 1A-side runout, stamped; "ANGEL" etched
BUY 39 B-2U A A 1B-side runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Stiff Records K-7371 / Stiff Records BUY-39First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1978 | Canada | Stiff-Columbia 1-11100First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | France | Stiff Records 640 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Stiff Records 640 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Stiff-Columbia 1-11100First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Stiff-Columbia 1-11100First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Stiff-Columbia 1-11100First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 39First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 421 / Stiff Records 6.12421 AC7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | Stiff Records VIP-2710 / Stiff Records STIFF-10017", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Stiff Records K-73717", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Portugal | Stiff Records BUY39/NP7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of B-A-B-Y / Suspended Animation are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 39, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 39, 1-11100, K-7371, 640 155) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 39 A-2U ANGEL and BUY 39 B-1U SA MAX BELL IS FAB!. 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.
