Vinyl pressings
by Styx · 1979
Babe 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.
43 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 21 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.
AM 02188 A SM2 Sx S1111Side A runout
T1 AM 02188 B T2 STERLINGSide B runout
02188-ASide A Label
02188-BSide B Label
AM 02188 A SM2 SX STERLINGRunout, A-side
T1 AM 02188 B T1 STERLINGRunout, B-side
T AM 02188 A T1 T1111 STERLINGRunout, A-side, variant1
T1 AM 02188 B T2 STERLINGRunout, B-side, variant 1
T AM 02188 A T2 T1111 STERLINGRunout, A-side, variant 2
T AM 02188 B T1 T1111 STERLINGRunout, B-side, variant 2
AM 02188 A SM2 SIIIIII [roman numeral 6] STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
AM 02188 B SMISII STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
AM 02188 A SM2 S [STERLING]Side A runout, variant 2
AM 02188 B SMI [STERLING]Side B runout, variant 2
AM 02188 A P1 Λ STERLINGVariant 1, side A etched, Λ STERLING stamped
AM 02188 B P1 STERLING PVariant 1, side B etched, STERLING P stamped
AM 02188 A P1 Λ STERLINGVariant 2, side A etched, Λ STERLING stamped
AM 02188 B P2 STERLING AVariant 2, side B etched, STERLING A stamped
AM 02188 MONO SM 2 sss STERLINGRunout A
AM 02188 A SM 2 s STERLINGRunout B
02188-ALabels
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 | Unknown | A&M Records AMRS 1296First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records K7682 / A&M Records 2188-SFirst year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | Barbados | A&M Records 2188-SFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Brazil | A&M Records 31C 006 63429First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2188First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2188First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Chile | A&M Records 11345First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ecuador | A&M Records 45-88035 / A&M Records 2188-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ecuador | A&M Records 45-88035 / A&M Records 2188-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 7637First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Guatemala | A&M Records 2188First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Guatemala | A&M Records 2188First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ireland | A&M Records AMS 7489First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | A&M Records AM-100 / A&M Records 33C 006-634297", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Mexico | A&M SEC-1257", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 76377", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 76377", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Old Gold OG 95457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Old Gold OG 95457", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM 21887", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMS 74897", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
52 vinyl pressings of Babe are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1979 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 2188-S, released September 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2188-S, 2188, AMRS 1296, AMS 7489) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AM 02188 A SM2 Sx S1111 and T1 AM 02188 B T2 STERLING. 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.
