Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 2016
★ (Blackstar) was first pressed on vinyl in 2016. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 2016, the album's first year, in 3 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.
88875-17387-1A RJ 119472 STERLINGA side runout - variant 1
88875-17387-1B RJ 119472 STERLINGB side runout - variant 1
88875-17387-1A RJ STERLING ② 119472A side runout - variant 2
88875-17387-1B RJ STERLING ② 119472B side runout - variant 2
MPO 15-0736 A 88875-17387-1A RJ STERLINGRunout side A, etched, STERLING stamped
MPO 15-0736 B 88875-17387-1B RJ STERLINGRunout side B, etched, STERLING stamped
C-139259/AL88875173871Label side A
C-139259/BL88875173871Label side B, printed on side A
25319.1(3) 88875-17387-1A RJ STERLINGSide A runout
25319.2(3) 88875-17387-1B RJ STERLINGSide B runout
MPO 15-0736 A 88875-17387-1A RJSide A; etched
MPO 15-0736 B 88875-17387-1B RJSide B; etched
STERLINGSides A & B; stamped
Side 1 C-139259/AL88875173871 Other Side (Side 2) C-139259/BL88875173871Side A; label (also states info for Side B -- referred to as "Other Side (Side 2)"
MPO 15-0736 A 88875-17387-1A RJ STERLINGSide A, runout
MPO 15-0736 B 88875-17387-1B RJ STERLINGSide B, runout
C-139259Labels
AL88875173871Side A label
C-139259/AL88875173871A side matrix, on side A
C-139259/BL88875173871B side matrix, on side A
MPO 15-0736 A 88875-17387-1A STERLING RJA side runout
MPO 15-0736 B 88875-17387-1B STERLING RJB side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | Not On Label 88875-17387LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | Europe | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 2016 | Europe | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Repress · Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2016 | US | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2016 | US | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2016 | Worldwide | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 2016 | US | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 2016 | US | ISO Records 88875173871 / Columbia 88875173871LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Parlophone 5021732397669 / ISO Records DB0216-7LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of ★ (Blackstar) are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 2016 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 2016, in Europe, US, Worldwide. One of them is ISO Records 88875173871, released January 8, 2016.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 88875173871) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 88875-17387-1A RJ 119472 STERLING and 88875-17387-1B RJ 119472 STERLING. 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.
