Vinyl pressings
by The Housemartins · 1985
Flag Day was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 3 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.
GOD7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 12 4Side A, stamped
GOD7 B// 1 ∇ 420 Z 12 2Side B, stamped
THE FOURTH BEST BAND IN HULL GDSide A, hand-etched
GOD 7 A//2 ∇ 420 Z 11Side A, stamped. Variant 1
GOD7 A / 2 ∇ 420 Z 11Side A, stamped
THE FOURTH BEST BAND IN HULL GDSide A, etched
GOD7 A / 8 ∇ 420 Z 11Side B, stamped
GODX 7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 11Side 1, stamped - variant 1
GODX 7 B//2 ∇ 420 Z 11Side 2, stamped - variant 1
GODX 7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 11 1 GDSide 1, stamped/etched - variant 2
GODX 7 B//2 ∇ 420 Z 11 3Side 2, stamped - variant 2
GODX 7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 11
GODX 7 B//2 ∇ 420 Z 11
GODX 7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 11 GD
GODX 7 B//2 ∇ 420 Z 11
GOD 7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 12Side A, stamped
THE FOURTH BEST BAND IN HULL GDSide A, hand-etched
GOD 7 B//1 ∇ 420Z 12 5Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Chrysalis K-9900First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9900First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GODX 7First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GODX 7First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GOD 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GOD 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GOD 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Go! Discs GODX 7 / Go! Discs GOD X 7First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 7-69491 / Go! Discs 7-694917", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 7-694917", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Not On Label ED 520412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of Flag Day are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, New Zealand. One of them is Go! Discs GOD 7, released October 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GOD 7, GODX 7, K-9900, K 9900) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GOD7 A//1 ∇ 420 Z 12 4 and GOD7 B// 1 ∇ 420 Z 12 2. 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.
