Anarchy in the U.K. | French 7-inch Single (640 112) EA Code

Here we go.
This post introduces another item from my Sex Pistols collection.

This time, it’s the French 7-inch single
Anarchy in the U.K. (640 112).

Please also see my article on the UK pressing for reference.　

🧷 Basic details

・Title: Anarchy in the U.K.

・Artist: Sex Pistols

・Format: 7-inch single (45 rpm)

・Release date: July 1977

・Label / Catalogue number: Barclay 640 112 (EA)

・Sleeve: Picture sleeve

🧷 Tracklist

・A1：Anarchy In The U.K.

・B1：I Wanna Be Me

The track configuration is the same as the UK EMI single.

🧷 Pressing / variation details

✔️ Matrix numbers (etched runouts)

・BLY 640 112 A

・BLY 640 112 B

✔️ Sleeve

A matte, monochrome picture sleeve.

On the back, a handwritten EA marking appears in the top right corner.
Below that, the catalogue numbers for the related singles “God Save The Queen” and “Pretty Vacant” are listed.

✔️ Label

▼ Matte black label with white text

▼ The B-side does not feature the band logo

🧷 Collector’s notes

✅️Sleeve

The lower left corner of the front sleeve reads “BANNED IN THE U.K.”.
This phrase translates literally as “banned in the UK” and reflects the situation at the time, when radio airplay was restricted and live shows were cancelled. It works as a characteristically French piece of promotional copy.

The EA marking on the back sleeve is not a catalogue number but a distribution and pricing code.
French pressings can also be found with other codes such as BA-105, and differences in these markings are one of the points collectors tend to notice.

✅️Label

The “MONO–STÉRÉO” marking is commonly seen on French pressings of the period and indicates compatibility with both mono and stereo playback systems.

At the time, mono playback was still common in France, and this marking makes sense in that context.

The relationship between mono and stereo styli and cutting methods can get a bit technical, so I’ll leave that for another occasion.

✅️Adaptor

This record is a NOC (No Ordinary Centre) pressing, but it came with what appears to be a centre spindle adaptor added by a previous owner.

At first, I assumed this might simply be a French-specific feature, but when it came loose unexpectedly, I briefly thought I’d broken something.
A closer look revealed the marking “45 R.P.M. – MADE IN U.S.A.”, confirming that it was a later addition.

From a collector’s point of view, I’m glad the record itself remains in its original NOC condition, without anything permanently attached.

🔜 Coming up next

Next time, I’ll be introducing a copy of “The Biggest Blow / My Way” (Japanese Columbia pressing) with an obi strip.

Thanks for reading.

Bye bye 👋

For collectors interested in Japanese editions

If you are drawn to the design and information found on Japanese releases, particularly obi strips, you may want to take a look at my Never Mind The Bollocks Japanese CD OBI Gallery.
This page organises each obi strip variation issued for the album individually, presenting the obi itself as the main focus in a collector-oriented reference format.
It is intended as an entry point for those interested in Japanese obi strips.