Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1981
Another Face was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 14 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.
XEAL 16911 1X▽E D 11 2Side A runout, variant 1
XEAL16912 2X▽E D 2 1 1 3Side B runout, variant 1
XEAL 16911 1X▽E D 11 5Side A runout, variant 2
XEAL16912 2X▽E D 2 1 1 1Side B runout, variant 2
XEAL 16911 2G 11 5Runout side A
XEAL16912 2X▽E D 2 1 1 3Runout side B
XEAL 16911Label side A
XEAL 16912Label side B
TAB - 17- A RLP 499076Runout side A
TAB - 17- B RLP 499076Runout side B
MIP 1 9324-A SnB DM 2Side A, Variant 1
MIP 1-9324 B SnB DM 3Side B, Variant 1
MIP 1 9324-A SnB DM CSide A, Variant 2
MIP 1-9324 B SnB DM 9Side B, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Decca TAB 17First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Australia | Decca RLP 499 076 / Rainbow RLP 499 076First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Brazil | London Records 24 005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | London Records MIP-1-9324First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | London Records MIP-1-9324First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | France | Decca 200.275First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Germany | Decca 6.24689 APFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Germany | Decca 6.24689 BLFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Germany | Decca 6.24689 BLFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | Decca SKL45117First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Ireland | Decca TAB 17First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Japan | London Records L20P 1004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Japan | London Records L20P 1004First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Decca 6399 248First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Decca MID 42First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | Decca 810 159-1LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Deram 810 159-1 / Decca TAB 17LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Another Face are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1981 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Netherlands, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Decca TAB17.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TAB17, TAB 17, RLP 499 076, 24 005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XEAL 16911 1X▽E D 11 2 and XEAL16912 2X▽E D 2 1 1 3. 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.
