Detailed Release Information
This is not a complete list of every known variant release. If you have another variant feel free to send in scans and info.
Original copies of 'Billion Dollar Babies' came in a lavish embossed sleeve with rounded corners, in the shape of a money wallet. When you opened up the gatefold you had a set of "cards" on the left (replicating family photos you may carry in your wallet), which you could punch out to reveal the album credits. On the right was a cut-out money clip under which was a oversized billion dollar bill. The album itself was housed in a inner sleeve with the song lyrics on one side and the famous David Bailey photograph of the band in white with a baby and surrounded by real money.
Later reissues gradually removed various features from the original package.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First pressing has embossed gatefold sleeve with rounded corners, punch-out cards, billion dollar bill and inner lyric sleeve.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
White label promo in embossed sleeve with all the original extras.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
Late 1973
Notes:
Third printing with palm tree labels. Versions exist with both embossed and non-embosssed sleeves but it still has rounded corners, the bill, the cards, and inner sleeves. At least two minor variant labels - one with "Stereo" and one without.
Country:
USA
Format:
Quadrophonic LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS4 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
The Quadrophonic LP in gatefold sleeve with curved corners and palm tree labels. Includes inner sleeves but no dollar bill. Contains a different mix of the album.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
Late 70s/Early 80s
Notes:
Fourth version (?) with the WB/lines labels.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Fifth version (?) with the WB/shields labels. Still has gatefold but all the other extras are gone. Versions with barcode on back cover.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Columbia House record club edition. Has WB beige/sheil labels and gatefold but no bill/inner sleeve etc. "Manufactured by Columbia House under license"
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers/Rhino Records
Cat. Number:
R1 2685
Release Date:
2010
Notes:
180gm reissue with gatefold sleeve, bill, inner sleeves and cards all reproduced.
Country:
USA
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers/Rhino Records
Cat. Number:
R1 2685
Release Date:
October 18th 2016
Notes:
Limited edition (3000) reissue on green/yellow/orange marble vinyl. Embossed gatefold sleeve with dollar bill and inner sleeves.
Country:
USA
Format:
Reel to Reel
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WST 2685-A
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
7½ ips, 4-Track Stereo, 7" Cine Reel.
Country:
USA
Format:
8 Track Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB M8 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Black cartridge in slip cover.
Country:
USA
Format:
8 Track Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB L9B 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Quadraphonic 8 track cartidge.
Country:
USA
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB M5 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First tape release in old style slipcase. Black tape with white writing printed on case.
Country:
USA
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
M5 2685
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
White tape with black printing on case. Standard tape case. Rightis a club eedition.
Country:
USA
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
2685-2
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Basic CD reissue. A Columbia House club version exsist with "DIDX 002786" printed below the normal cat. number on the disc.
Country:
USA
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
R2 79791
Release Date:
2001
Notes:
Deluxe 2xCD reissue which features the standad album on disc on and bonus live tracks and tree rarities on disc 2. Comes in a card gatefold cover.
Country:
USA
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1990
Notes:
Two CD promo for the Rhino Records 'Billion Dollar Babies' deluxe reissue. Has a simple white printed cover with track listings and copyright info.
Country:
USA
Format:
DVD-A
Label:
Warner Brothers/Rhino Entertainment
Cat. Number:
R9 76663
Release Date:
1990
Notes:
DVD-Audio multichannel disc which features a unique mix of the album, a cross between the original Quadrophonic mix and teh standard album mix. Also contains five bonus live tracks. 'Elected' video, interview and photo gallery.
Country:
UK
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K 56013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First UK pressing has embossed gatefold sleeve with rounded corners, punch-out cards, billion dollar bill and inner lyric sleeve.
Country:
UK
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K 56013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
UK pressing with palm tree labels, embossed gatefold sleeve with rounded corners, punch-out cards, billion dollar bill and inner lyric sleeve.
Country:
UK
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K 56013
Release Date:
Late 70s/Early 80s
Notes:
UK pressing with WB beige/lines labels, The sleeve isn't embossed any more, the corners ae square, and teh cards no longer punch out. The bill is added as an insert rather then in the wallet holder. No inner sleeves.
Country:
UK
Format:
8 Track tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
Y8K8 56013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Green cartridge.
Country:
UK
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K456013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Black tape wit hblue labels and fold out cover with images from the album. The last two tracks one each side, 'I Love The Dead' and 'Unfinished Sweet', have been switched, presumably for timing reason between the sides.
Country:
Argentina
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
50-14.078
Release Date:
1974
Notes:
No Information.
Country:
Australia
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1975
Notes:
Embossed sleeve, cards, dollar bill and printed inner sleeves. Sleeve is made in USA but vinyl is Australian.
Country:
Australia
Format:
8 Track tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
Y8K8 56013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Black cartidge. cartridge.
Country:
Australia
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
M5 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Early cassette in standard case.
Country:
Australia
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
2685-2
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Australisian standard CD with booklet containing lyrics, photos from the LP sleeve and a short essay.
Country:
Australia
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
26852
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Black Australian CD with booklet
Country:
Austria
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013/BS2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill as insert. Cards and money band not die-cut.
Country:
Brazil
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WBLP-5040
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill, cards inserts.
Country:
Brazil
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WBLP 5040
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill, cards inserts. NOTE: The Brazillian dollar bill features a different band photo! it uses the David Bailey photo from the inner sleeve.
Country:
Canada
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Canadian first pressing. Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill, cards inserts, inner sleeves. WB Green labels.
Country:
Canada
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
Late 1973+
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill, cards inserts, inner sleeves. Palm tree labels with two variants - The WB shield has "records" across it on one and not the other.
Country:
Canada
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
Late 70s/early 80s
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with dollar bill, cards inserts, and normally inner sleeves. Small maple leaf on the back cover. Beige/lines label with two varients - note the small "Q" nxt to the cat. number in the first example.
Country:
Canada
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
CWX-2685
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Standard tape. Two versions. The earlier tape is black with white writing on case, the later one is clear.
Country:
Canada
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
CD 2685
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Standard CD. A Columbia House club edition adds "W2 2685" above the normal number on the disc.
Country:
Chile
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1976
Notes:
All titles in Spanish. Back cover says "Wagner Bros." instead of Warner Bros.
Country:
Colombia
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WEA 10505
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
No more information.
Country:
Europe
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
Late 1980s
Notes:
Made in Germany but used around mainland Europe. Surprisingly has embossed sleeve and all the extras considering its a later pressing with the WB beige/shields labels.
Country:
Europe
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
7599-27269-2
Release Date:
Late 1980s
Notes:
Made in Germany but used around mainland Europe.
Country:
Europe
Format:
2xCD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
8122-79791-2
Release Date:
2001
Notes:
Made in Germany but used around mainland Europe. Deluxe double CD edition.
Country:
France
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Green WB labels.
Country:
France
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Has a gold sticker advertising 'Elected' and 'Hello Hooray' and different green labels to version above.
Country:
France
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Palm tree labels.
Country:
France
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Beige/Lines labels.
Country:
France
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
456 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Red tape with writing on case.
Country:
Germany
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Green labels with purple sticker advertising 'Elected' and 'Hello Hooray'
Country:
Germany
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. White label promo. Has purple sticker advertising 'Elected' and 'Hello Hooray'
Country:
Germany
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Palm tree labels.
Country:
Germany
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Embossed sleeve with all the extras. Beige/Lines labels.
Country:
Germany
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K 56013
Release Date:
1980s
Notes:
Later pressing without gatefold or extras but does still have the inner sleeves. Beige/shield labels.
Country:
Germany
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 456 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Early tape with singles advert text.
Country:
Germany
Format:
8 Track Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 856 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
White cartridge.
Country:
Germany
Format:
DVD-A
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
8122-76663-9
Release Date:
2000
Notes:
DVD-A multi-chanel audio disc. This features a different mix of teh album, five bonus live tracks, an interview, 'Elected' video and photo gallery.
Country:
Germany
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
7599-27269-2
Release Date:
1990s
Notes:
Budget range CD reissue.
Country:
Greece
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WS 0391
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First greek pressing featuring all the extras.
Country:
Hungary
Format:
LP
Label:
Auto Foto
Cat. Number:
AMC 012
Release Date:
?
Notes:
Counterfeit tape.
Country:
Israel
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB K56013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Counterfeit tape.
Country:
Italy
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB K 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Printed inner sleeves, WB green labels.
Country:
Italy
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
K 56 013
Release Date:
Late 1973+
Notes:
WB palm tree labels with dollar bill.
Country:
Italy
Format:
8 Track tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS-2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
No info.
Country:
Japan
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
P-8322W
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Original Japanese pressing with all the extras plus obi and translation sheet and poster.
Country:
Japan
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
P-8322W
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Original Japanese pressing with all the extras plis obi and translation sheet and poster.
Country:
Japan
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WPCR-14304
Release Date:
21st December 2011
Notes:
Remastered SHM-CD in a CD-sized album replica sleeve, with obi-strip and insert of notes mostly in Japanese. The papersleeve features double jacket with an inner bag and WB green label, dollar bill, insert of liner notes and lyrics.
Country:
Japan
Format:
CD
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WPCR-14304/05
Release Date:
2012
Notes:
Japanese edition of the deluxe 2xCD release with boolet in both English and Japanese.
Country:
Lenanon
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers/SLD
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Early pressing on WB green labels..
Country:
Mexico
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
GX 01-600
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Front cover has WB logo and cat. numbers in top right. Comes with goldish labels.
Country:
Netherlands
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First pressing with all the extras. Green WB labels.
Country:
Netherlands
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
Late 1973+
Notes:
Second pressing with all the extras. Palm tree WB labels. Sleeve printed in Germany.
Country:
New Zealand
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WBS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First pressing with all the extras. Green WB labels.
Country:
New Zealand
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WBS 2685
Release Date:
Late 1973+
Notes:
Second pressing with all the extras. Palm tree labels. Examples are from a record colub edition with adition cat.number.
Country:
Panama
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS-2685
Release Date:
?
Notes:
While you'd maybe expect this to be an unofficial pressing it has the embossed sleeve, cards, dollar bill, printed inner sleeves and WB labels, so suggests it's official.
Country:
Russia
Format:
LP
Label:
Santa Records
Cat. Number:
П93 00689-90/ATR 30261-2
Release Date:
1993
Notes:
There are a quite a few counterfeit Russian releases, mainly on CD, which I'm not going to list. However this 90s vinyl edition is slightly more interesting.
Country:
Sweden
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Early pressing with at least the inner sleeve, and rounded corners on cover.
Country:
Singapore
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Comes in a single sleeve with generic inner sleeves, but does include a dollar bill with alternate image of the band.
Country:
South Africa
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
BS 2685
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Gatefold sleeve with all the usual extras but the cards don't appear to be perferated and the money clip isn't useable. Due to this the inner sleeve featres the credits normally under the cards in place of the David Bailey photo.
Country:
Spain
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
WB 56 013
Release Date:
1970s?
Notes:
Printed inner sleeves. No other info but the rounded corners suggest it could have the gatefold and other extras.
Country:
Spain
Format:
LP
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
LB 56013/WB 56 013 ??
Release Date:
?
Notes:
Single sleeve with plain white inner sleeves. Includes dollar bill but none of the other extras.
Country:
Spain
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
CH 224
Release Date:
?
Notes:
No More Information. Titles in Spanish. (Image on Discogs is fake)
Country:
Spain
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
MB 56 013
Release Date:
1983
Notes:
No More Information.
Country:
Spain
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
61130-4
Release Date:
1983
Notes:
No More Information. Part of 'Original Masters' Re-issue series.
Country:
Taiwan
Format:
Tape
Label:
First Records
Cat. Number:
FL-2325
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Unofficial release on simple sleeve with red labels.
Country:
Venezuela
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
150.008
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
First pressing on green WB labels. No other info.
Country:
Venezuela
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers
Cat. Number:
150.008
Release Date:
Late 1973+
Notes:
Second pressing on palm tree WB labels.
Country:
Yugoslavia
Format:
Tape
Label:
Warner Brothers/Suzy
Cat. Number:
56 013
Release Date:
1973
Notes:
Different sleeve with the dollar logo larger and lower and completely different back sleeve. WB green labels.
Country:
Unknown
Format:
LP
Label:
?
Cat. Number:
?
Release Date:
?
Notes:
Likely a counterfeit but interesting as it has a completely different cover.