France
June 1968- Label and catalog number
- Philips 844.784 BY
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
PHI AA 844 784 1Y 380Runout, side A, stamped
PHI AA 844 784 2Y 380Runout, side B, stamped
844.784 1YLabel A
844.784 2YLabel B
Vinyl pressings
Initials B.B.
by Serge Gainsbourg · 1968
21 pressings4 countriesChansonPop RockRockPop
Initials B.B. was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Initials B.B.
3 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 2 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.
France
1968- Label and catalog number
- Philips 844.784 BY
- Format
- LP, Compilation
- Runout / matrix
PHI AA 844784 1Y DN 380 844784 BY A3Side A, runout, stamped
PHI AA 844784 2Y DN 380 844784 BY A3Side B, runout, stamped
844.784 1YSide A, label
844.784 2YSide B, label
Canada
1968- Label and catalog number
- Philips 844 784
- Format
- LP, Compilation
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 21 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Canada | Philips 844 784First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1968 | France | Philips 844.784 BYFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1968 | France | Philips 844.784 BYFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | France | Philips 849.505 BYLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1969 | France | Philips 849.505 BYLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1969 | France | Philips 849.505 BYLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | France | Philips 6332 233LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
2000s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | France | Philips 548 612-1 / Philips 548 612-2LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Misprint, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Misprint, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| 2008 | France | Mercury 530 915-3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2008 | France | Philips 530 854-4LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2008 | France | Philips 844.784 BY / Mercury 530 915-3LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2008 | France | Mercury 530854-4LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
2010s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M196LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2016 | France | Mercury 536 928-5 / Universal Music France 536 928-5LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | France | Mercury 536 928-5 / Universal Music France 536 928-5LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | France | Mercury 536 928-5 / Universal Music France 536 928-5LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 773 502-0LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
2020s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | France | Mercury 536 928-5 / Universal Music France 536 928-5LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
| 2022 | France | Mercury 539 133-7 / Universal Music France 539 133-7LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 2025 | France | Mercury 539 133-7 / Universal Music France 539 133-7LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered, Mono · Mono |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 844 784 BYLP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- A1Initials B.B.3:27
- A2Comic Strip2:10
- A3Bloody Jack2:41
- A4Dr Jekyll Et Monsieur Hyde1:59
- A5Torrey Canyon2:42
- A6Shu Ba Du Loo Ba2:06
- B1Ford Mustang2:00
- B2Bonnie And Clyde4:15
- B3Black And White2:10
- B4Qui Est "In" Qui Est "Out"2:16
- B5Hold Up2:17
- B6Marilu2:34
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Initials B.B. are there?
21 vinyl pressings of Initials B.B. are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1968 and 2025.
When was Initials B.B. first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in France, Canada. One of them is Philips 844.784 BY, released June 1968.
How do I tell if my copy of Initials B.B. is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 844.784 BY, 844 784) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PHI AA 844 784 1Y 380 and PHI AA 844 784 2Y 380. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Initials B.B. on vinyl worth?
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.
