Vinyl pressings
by The Boomtown Rats · 1980
Banana Republic was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BONGO 1 A//4 ETHRun-out side A, stamped variant 1
BONGO 1 B//3 ETHRun-out side B, stamped variant 1
BONGO 1 A//3 ETHRun-out side A, stamped variant 2
BONGO 1 B//3 ETHRun-out side B, stamped variant 2
BONGO 1 A//3 ▽ ETH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 6Run-out side A, stamped
BONGO 1 B//3 ▽ ETH TOWNHOUSE 8Run-out side B, stamped
BONGO 1 A//4 ETHMachine stamped in run-out area A-side
BONGO 1 B//3 ETHMachine stamped in run-out area B-side
TOWNHOUSE
647 BONGO 1 A2 DM TOWNHOUSE POLYGRAMA-side runout - variant 1
647 BONGO 1 B2 DM TOWNHOUSE POLYGRAMB-side runout - variant 1
647 BONGO 1 A2 DM TOWNHOUSE POLYGRAMA-side runout - variant 2
647 BONGO 1 B1 DM TOWNHOUSE POLYGRAMB-side runout - variant 2
BONGO 1 A // 4 ▽ E THMachine stamped in run-out area A-side
BONGO 1 B // 3 ▽ E THMachine stamped in run-out area B-side
TOWNHOUSEStamped facing the other way, both sides.
BONGO 1 A11 POLYGRAM B14 647Machine stamped in run-out area A-side
BONGO 1 B1 POLYGRAM B0 647Machine stamped in run-out area B-side
TOWNHOUSERunout, Sides A & B, Stamped
ARunout, Sides A & B, Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Mercury 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2302First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Vertigo SOVDJ 2302First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Europe | Ensign BONGO 1 / Mercury 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | France | Mercury 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6059 367First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6059 377First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6059 367 / Ensign 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Mercury 6059 377 / Ensign 6059 377First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Mulligan LUNS 747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-18First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Mercury 6059 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Mercury 6059 367First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Spain | Mercury 60 59 367First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Banana Republic are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Ensign BONGO 1, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BONGO 1, 7PP-18, 6059 367, SOV 2302) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BONGO 1 A//4 ETH and BONGO 1 B//3 ETH. 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.
