Of Madonna's forty-nine singles' releases, four have undergone reissue: "Lucky Star", "Holiday" - twice, "Borderline" and "Crazy for You". All information allowing accurate identification is at view within this section.

What an original - only a handful pressed - I only know of two copies in existence.

The 'sunglasses' sleeve 7". Up to 1996 I had really grown to believe that there was no such release, and instead bowed to agree with the common belief in two identical 'bangles' sleeve 7" issues. Despite noticing, back in 1985, a photograph in a 'singles review' within 'Smash Hits' magazine, of this very 'sunglasses' picture sleeve issue, complete with distinguishable 'Edit' version - not 'Full Length' as found on the 12" sleeve. But then, more recently, one misty morning, a small letter dropped through the letter box containing two photocopies of this immaculate conception - sunglasses 7". The sleeve carries credits to an 'Edit' version and a small 'BBC' sticker (that famous old style logo). The sticker certainly denotes possible promotional descent, giving back reality to a double '83 and '84 'bangles' sleeve release. Thanks Nick Morris for helping to finally clear things up! - well almost - what about the 'BBC' sticker?

As already mentioned, the original 12" also carried the 'sunglasses' picture sleeve. This pressing also included a 'stage one' label design, which was later reused for the reissue. Apparently this pressing also comes in limited edition form, complete with a free poster, but I certainly haven't seen any evidence that it exists.

The 1984 reissue 7" carried the 'bangles' picture sleeve, and included the regular 'stage one' label design as used for the original, along with "I Know It" on the B side. Copies are often available for sale, which may partly be due to an additional supply re-released in 1986. So don't be fooled into paying extortionate amounts for this particular pressing.

"Lucky Star" reissue produced a 'TV' sleeve 12". The sleeve being its only distinguishable feature.

The reissue initially included a 'limited edition poster', which can still be found, popping up in way-out record stores, just don't expect to get a mint copy - and if you do it will cost a fortune.

In the summer of 1986, copies of the 'sunglasses' 12" and 'bangles' 7" appeared once more on sale across the U.K., included as part of a six - 7" and 12" 'W.E.A' Madonna promotion. The five other re-releases being "Holiday", "Like A Virgin", "Material Girl", "Into The Groove" and "Angel". All of which generally appeared identical to the original releases. Although the 12" "Lucky Star" I bought carried 'retouched' reverse catalogue numbers! - maybe this is a common distinguishable feature?.

Originally issued in 1983 and subsequently became Madonna's second track to undergo reissue. With no fewer than three releases, including reissues in 1985 and 1991, formats from "Holiday" tend to cause the most confusion, despite their obvious dissimilarity.

The original 7" carried the simple but effective, 'chains' face picture sleeve, very similar to the "Madonna" album photo: incidentally this appears on the reverse of its sleeve. This sleeve appeared throughout Europe and, on closer examination, it becomes apparent that despite her early importance the photograph of Madonna had actually been printed in reverse, subsequently her mole appears on the right: her left!. Accompanying this issue is a rather special label design which has never reappeared. The label carried great similarities to those released in Germany, although the 'Gema Biem' wording has been excluded, but the double set of perimeter "rights" wording remain. If the label design was not unique enough then its standard mix, titled: "Holiday", certainly should be.

This format is often mistaken for the reissue, with the 'train' sleeve pressing getting original status, although evidence of originality belonging to the 'chains' sleeve pressing is offered through the existence of the "Borderline" double-pack. This double-pack was released in 1984, over a year prior to the 'train' sleeve reissue, and yes...!, included a copy of "Holiday"; the 'chains' sleeve issue.

Accompanying the 7" with equal disarray was a 'train' picture sleeve 12". Its picture sleeve being all that distinguishes this issue from the later '1985' reissue. With both including 'stage two' label design and 'Full Length Version' as standard.

For the 7", 'WEA' decided to reuse the 'train' sleeve, a decision which unbeknown to them was going to create a great deal of collector-confusion - ultimately, the amiss presumption that identical picture sleeve meant identical release: not so!. This particular sleeve is fairly difficult to acquire, as when released many copies came only in a plain 'WEA' sleeve. Which may have been due to unexpected 'initial' success, also attributing to 'Top-Up' copies being released. Finally, a 'stage one' label with the regular 'Edit' mix accompanies this release.

For the 12", a fairly simple 'face in circle' sleeve materialised. The circle picture being that of the original "Lucky Star" 7" placed within a white circle. The reverse of this sleeve carried additional 'stickered' catalogue numbers!.

One other format also appeared, in the shape of the first-ever 12" picture disc, and yes, you've guessed it, the 'face in circle' picture was used.

For the 'WEA' promotion, once again the 'chains' sleeve 7" appeared, technically making the already scarce 'train' sleeve reissue even more collectable. As for the 12" - umm - don't actually remember, but I will certainly find out.

All but compact disc format carried a 'body-stocking' picture sleeve which to my knowledge was as unique to the UK, as was this out-of-the-blue reissue to the rest of the world. The compact disc was unique in three ways: its title did not match the other formats, i.e. "The Holiday Collection", it adopted a very similar sleeve design to the newly released "Immaculate Collection" album and, to top-it-off, it came in an album style casing!. Just for the record ("OK. no more puns"), for the first two releases "I Know It" took the B side position, with "True Blue" on the third, ironically, "True Blue" had already included "Holiday" on its B side (as did "Dear Jessie").

Of all the releases covered in this section, "Borderline", to the less-trained eye, offers minimal variance between the 1984 original and 1986 reissue - giving many collectors total misconception. All formats came with a 'map' picture sleeve, showing off yet another 'bangles' style Madonna.

Only small differences seperate the original 7" from the reissue. The original includes a large 'A' just below the 'Sire' logo on it's 'stage one' design. All reissue copies carried a 'stage three' label. But another distinguising point can be found on the sleeve where original presings only give reference to the old "Madonna" album catalogue number (923867), rather than 'WX22' on the reissue. Also, the original copies have the top-right catalogue number printed directly onto the map.

To boost sales of Madonna's forth single (fifth release), a very limited double-pack, the second (confirmed) Madonna limited edition. This coupled "Holiday", obviously the original. Both came in picture sleeves, sealed and carried a catalogue-numbered promotional sticker, its only real proof of authenticity.

One very small but significant feature instantly identifies the originality of either 'stage one' label 12" release. Simply view the album catalogue number printed on the reverse side of the sleeve All original copies seem to include '9' prefix catalogue number, with the newer 'WX' prefix printed only on the reissue (as with the 7").

With no fewer than six years between the 1985 original and 1991 reissue and, Madonna's ever changing appearance, identification of any "Crazy For You" format should not pose as to much of a problem.

Only two formats materialised, both 7" singles - including the first shaped picture disc. Original copies carried 'Geffen' record company identification, including a distinctive black or cream label for the single and 'microphone' film picture sleeve. No 12" was issued.

BEWARE: many Dutch pressings have appeared for sale over the last few years, although, purely accidentally of course, their originality has not been included. So when your wonderful U.K. 12" arrives, it turns out not to be.

All reissues - this time on Madonna's 'Sire' label, carried the 'boobs' picture sleeve, otherwise used simultaneously throughout the world for "Rescue Me". Formats included a 7" ('stage ten'), 12", cassingle, compact disc and yet another shaped picture disc (W008P) - the first for five years.

Through Madonna's increasing popularity and over the space of two years, 'Like A Virgin' and her debut album, 'Madonna', under went reissue. All reissues carried distinguishable features, although to the untrained eye may pass unnoticed. This section should make original album identification and collection completion easier and, may even bring your attention to previously unknown pressings.

Originally issued in Nov-1984, "Like A Virgin" made a major impact across the globe, the UK included. With its first two single releases, "Like A Virgin" and "Material Girl" smashing straight through the charts, eventually grinding to a halt within the top-five. With the additional success of "Desperately Seeking Susan" and its catchy soundtrack tune, "Into The Groove", 'WEA' decided - after just nine months, to reissue the album, allowing her debut number-one single a place on an album.

Original format carried nine-tracks and '157' prefix proceeding its 'Sire' - '9' catalogue number.

LP format in the traditional 'lace' picture sleeve (as used throughout), came complete with a lyrics insert-sleeve and unique label, incorporating similar typographical design to that used on the sleeve.

Original cassette format generally appeared with a black plastic cassette body and a stuck on grey paper label, with both UK and French "producer / owner" rights included. Most copies carried a horizontal yellow "chromedioxide" wording strip, printed on the front cover, although there are copies without this strip. There are also on-body printed label pressings; these carry body title design as taken from the 'Virgin' LP, printed in dark-blue on a grey cassette. No "CrO2" strip or markings were included, neither were German origins, so are possibly British made.

Finding a copy on compact disc will not be very easy, due to its rarity, and although I have never yet acquired a copy I have recieved many pictures of it. It included "Full Digital Recording" wording on front cover, with 'lace' rear, and a disc which carried a unique lilac-yellow design and "Made In West Cermany By Polygram" wording at the bottom of the disc.

Firstly, all reissues carried the totally new 'Sire' - '181' prefix, replacing the existing '157'. More recognisable though, apart from its extra track, was the addition of another catalogue number prefix: 'WX', added to all but compact disc format.

LP format once again included the inevitable lyrics insert-sleeve, This simply carried the additional "Into The Groove" - the title only, squeezed in front of the "Dress You Up" lyrics and, renewed catalogue number. The original's unique label design was now replaced by the regular 'Sire' design - as used from 'Madonna' onwards.

One other LP format to mention included a different label design, very similar to that used for 12" format - identified in the "Label Design" section as 'stage twelve'. Strangely though, the label carried 'UK' originality, not German.

Cassette format (WX20C) were generally made from clear plastic with on-body printed label, although many other variations do exist.

These variations include a black plastic cassette with silver paper label; black plastic cassette with printed on-body design; white plastic cassette with blue printed on-body label and picture sleeve which comes all the way around the cassette and no German origins; and another with sleeve all the way around the cassette which includes paper labels with 'Virgin' design titles. All sleeves carried a diagonal yellow strip on its lower right side: "Incl. Into The Groove".

Acquiring the reissued compact disc should not be any problem, but finding one with a 'lace pattern' reverse and 'UK origin' may a chore. I mentioned this particular issue in the original 'Ultiography' and, just a few days prior to finishing the 'update' I found one in a local record store. The cover is seemingly regular although its beautiful back sleeve and "PRINTED IN ENGLAND" originality make it unique. The inner booklet-sleeve includes the regular typographical mistake on "Like A Virgin", and gives reference to 'NIMBUS' manufacture.

"Madonna", the self named debut album was issued in September-1983, with its totally 're-packaged' counterpart appearing two years later in 1985 - following four very successful track releases.

All "Madonna" formats carried a black-and-white 'chains' style picture sleeve, very similar to the original 'Holiday' single and pictured on its reverse.

The original LP in its totally distinguishable sleeve came complete with lyrics insert-sleeve - carrying a photo of the then, very young Madonna. This is solely identifiable by the original '9' - 'Sire' catalogue number. Which is more than can be said for the accompanying disc, with its standard 'Sire' label and catalogue number, which remained totally identical throughout its re-packaging.

Initially, it's black plastic cassette body with stuck on grey paper label carried only original 'Sire' catalogue number identity, along with "Madonna" title, and, possibly just slightly earlier, came without any barcode on the back sleeve. Later, probably just previous to its re-packaging, copies appeared carrying both 'Sire' and the newer 'Warner' - 'WX' prefix, along with the renamed 'First Album' title, printed on a now grey paper label. The latter issue may have surfaced in the re-packaged colour sleeve. All copies included a yellow diagonal "chromedioxide" strip.

An ultimate collectors item, obviously distinguishable by its black and white sleeve and lilac-yellow disc with purple and black text. I have seen only two copies of this, so can assume it is a very rare item. The compact disc format includes the shorter '3.45' mix of 'Burning Up', which has also been described as the 'Video Mix', although this is actually '3.41' (from the States). All other formats appear to include the longer '4.48' mix. The reissued compact disc, which although still includes the shorter mix of "Burning Up", actually gives reference to the longer version on the picture insert sleeve.

The addition of a '759' prefix, to the beginning of the 'Sire' - '9' catalogue number was initiated in 1990 from the album "I'm Breathless". Superseded by an all new catalogue number system from "Erotica", initially '9362'. Following the initiation of the '759' prefix, all subsequent album pressings, from "The First Album" to "Like A Prayer" were also endorsed. Thus only pre-1990 album pressings carry a 'Sire' catalogue number beginning soley with '9'.