Vinyl pressings
by Yello · 1988
Flag was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
836 426 - 1Y- 2 TOWNHOUSE DMM A HRunout A, variant 1
836 426 - 1 2Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 2 A HRunout B, variant 1
836 426 - 1 1Y -2 TOWNHOUSE DMM 1 MRunout A, variant 2
836 426 - 1 2Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 1 LRunout B, variant 2
836426-1 1Y 8 TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side A
836426-1 2Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side B
AA 836 426-1.1YLabel side A
AA 836 426-1.2YLabel side B
836426 - 1 1 Y 41 TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side A, variant 1
836426-1 2 Y -2 TOWNHOUSE DMM 14 3 3Runout side B, variant 1
836426 - 1 1 Y 51 TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side A, variant 2
836426-1 2 Y -2 TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3 13Runout side B, variant 2
19 836426-1 1 Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side A
17 836426-1 2 Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 3 3Runout side B
YELP-1-A-3 MT 1 Town House DAMONT DA-Side Runout Groove
YELP-1-B1 2 DAMONT BB-Side Runout Groove
AA 836 426 - 1.1YLabel Side A
AA 836 426 - 1.2YLabel Side B
STAR 5532 -ARunout side A [Etched]
STARL 5532 -BRunout side B [Etched]
836.426-1 ALabel side A
836.426-1 BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | France | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Fontana 836 426-1LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37290 / FontanaFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Hungary | Magyar Hanglemezgyártó Vállalat SLPXL 37290LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Spain | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Zimbabwe | Fontana STARL 5532First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Zimbabwe | Fontana STARL 5532First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Africa | Fontana STARL 5532 / Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 836 778-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Fontana 836 426-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP535 / Fontana MOVLP535LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Worldwide | Universal Music 7640262961614 / Polydor 7640262961614LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP535 / Fontana MOVLP535LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
23 vinyl pressings of Flag are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1988 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, South Africa, Australasia and more. One of them is Fontana 836 426-1, released October 31, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 836 426-1, 836 778-1, STARL 5532, SLPXL 37290) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 836 426 - 1Y- 2 TOWNHOUSE DMM A H and 836 426 - 1 2Y TOWNHOUSE DMM 2 A H. 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.
