FAC numbers

Image: Jan Chlebik

The unveiling in Manchester the late Tony Wilson's gravestone, designed by long time Factory Records collaborator Peter Saville and Ben Kelly, was notable not only for being three years late, but also for being the only Factory 'production' not given a FAC number.

Factory Records employed a unique cataloguing system that gave a number not just to its musical releases, but to artwork and other objects (including a lawsuit).

The last ever Factory catalogue number was given to Tony Wilson's coffin (FAC 501).

I like the way that a simple identifier took on a whole life of it's own and became as much a part of the Factory brand language as the imagery and type.

For type enthusiasts, the font is Rotis and was laser-etched.