Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1983
A Second Face was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ZEAL 17698 1X ▽420 1 1 2Runout side A, variant 1
ZEAL 17699 1X ▽ 420 1 1 1Runout side B, variant 1
ZEAL 17698 1X ▽420 4Runout side A, variant 2
ZEAL 17699 1X ▽ 420Runout side B, variant 2
ZEAL 17698 1X ▽420 1 1 1Runout side A (stamped)
ZEAL 17699 1X ▽ 420 1Runout side B (stamped)
ZAL 17698Label side A
ZAL 17699Label side B
MIP1 9374-A4 SNB 230 DM-5Side A, Variant 1
MIP1 9374-B2 SNB 230 DM-4Side B, Variant 1
MIP1 9374-A4 SNB 230 DM-4Side A, Variant 2
MIP1 9374-B2 SNB 230 DM-5Side B, Variant 2
25 B 200460 A POLYGRAMStamped side A
25 B -200460 B POLYGRAMStamped side B
200 460 1Label side A
200 460 2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Rainbow RLP 499091 / Decca TAB 71First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Canada | London Records MIP-1-9374First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | France | Decca 200.460 / Decca 200 460First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Greece | Decca DL 13046LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Greece | Decca DL 13046First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Decca TAB 71First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Decca TAB 71First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Decca TAB 71First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Portugal | Decca 810 225-1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | London Records L20P 1161LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Japan | London Records L20P 1161LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of A Second Face are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada, France and more. One of them is Decca TAB 71.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TAB 71, RLP 499091, MIP-1-9374, 200.460) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZEAL 17698 1X ▽420 1 1 2 and ZEAL 17699 1X ▽ 420 1 1 1. 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.
