Vinyl pressings
by Squeeze · 1987
Babylon And On was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
AMA 5151 A P3 SQUEEZE A DMM 1A-side runout, Variant 1
AMA 5161 B SQUEEZE B DMM 1 1 1B-side runout, variant 1
AMA 5161 A SQUEEZE A DMM 11 1A-side runout, variant 2
AMA 5161 B SQEEZE B DMM 11 1B-side runout, variant 2
SPO 5161-A DMM △17532 1-Side A runout, etched, variant 1
SPO 5161-B DMM △17532-X 1-2Side B runout, etched, variant 1
SPO 5161-A DMM △17532 1-4Side A runout, etched, variant 2
SPO 5161-B DMM △17532-X 1-4Side B runout, etched, variant 2
SMX-68365Side A label
SMX-68366Side B label
LP-73045-A . . . . 14-12-87Etched side A
LP-73045-B . . . . 14-12-87Etched side B
395 161-1On both labels & back cover
29096-ASide A
29096-BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | A&M Records 29096 / A&M Records 395 161-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | PolyGram 395161-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 395161-1 / A&M Records 395 161-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 395161-1 / Polygram 395 161-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 395161-1 / Polygram 395 161-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Ireland | A&M Records AMA 5161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | A&M Records AMA 5161First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | A&M Records 395 161-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | A&M Records 395161-1 / A&M Records 395 161-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP 5161 / A&M Records SP-5161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP-5161LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2420600 / A&M Records SP 5161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5161First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records L 38759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records SP 505161LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 65161LP, Album | LP, Album |
20 vinyl pressings of Babylon And On are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records AMA 5161, released September 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMA 5161, SP 5161, L 38759, C28Y3210) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMA 5151 A P3 SQUEEZE A DMM 1 and AMA 5161 B SQUEEZE B DMM 1 1 1. 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.
