Vinyl pressings
by The Ruts · 1979
Babylon's Burning 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.
9 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 5 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.
VS∙271∙A∙1 RAYS WHEEEET! ΛSide A runout, etched ('Λ' stamped), variant 1
VS∙271∙B1 ΛSide B runout, etched ('Λ' stamped), variant 1
VS∙271∙A∙1 RAYS WHEEEET! 2 DSide A runout, etched / stamped), variant 2
VS∙271∙B1 5 2 BSide B runout, etched, variant 2
VS∙271∙A∙1 RAYS WHEEEET!Side A runout, etched
VS∙271∙B1Side B runout, etched
VS∙271∙A∙1 16 ∴ WHEEEET! RAYSRunout A etched / stamped variant 1
VS∙271∙B1 9 ∴Runout B etched / stamped variant 1
VS∙271∙A∙1 B O ∴ WHEEEET! RAYSRunout A etched / stamped variant 2
VS∙271∙B1 B 34 ∴Runout B etched / stamped variant 2
VS 271 A3 TOWN HOUSE ΛSide A, hand-etched/stamped runout
TOWNHOUSE VS-271-B2Side B, hand-etched runout
VS-271-A-1 RAYS WHEEEET!Side A, hand-etched runout
VS-271-B2 TOWNHOUSESide B, hand-etched runout
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 | Australia | Virgin K7579First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | France | Virgin 2097 813First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Virgin 100 808 / Virgin 100 808-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Ireland | Virgin VS 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 271First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 2717", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Virgin VS 2717", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Babylon's Burning are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Virgin VS 271, released June 4, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 271, K7579, 2097 813, 100 808) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS∙271∙A∙1 RAYS WHEEEET! Λ and VS∙271∙B1 Λ. 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.
