Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1984
Blue Jean was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
66 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 24 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.
12EA 181 A-1-1-1- NICKZ PenthouseRunout, side A, variant 1
12EA 181 B-2-1-1- PenthouseRunout, side B, variant 1
12EA 181 A-2-1-1-X1 NICKZ PenthouseRunout, side A, variant 2
12EA 181 B-2-1-1-X1 PenthouseRunout, side B, variant 2
EA 181A-1-1 - 02 - 12 1Runout side A, variant 1
EA 181B-2 1 - 02 - 10 1Runout side B, variant 1
EA 181 A-1-1-Q2-5Runout side A, variant 2
EA 181-B-1-1-Q2-7Runout side B, variant 2
EA 181 A-1-1-1-6A side runout, stamped, variant 1
EA 181 B-1-1-1-6B side runout, stamped, variant 1
EA 181 A-1-1-I-4A side runout, stamped, variant 2
EA 181 B-1-1-I-7B side runout, stamped, variant 2
EA 181 A-1-1-1-8 NICKZ PenthouseA stamped
EA 181 B-1-1-1-9 PenthouseB stamped
EA 181ALabel, side A
EA 181BLabel, side B
EA 181 A-4-1-Q2-2C NICKZ PenthouseA stamped
EA 181 B-4-1-Q2-11 PenthouseB stamped
EA 181 A-4-1-1-6 NICKZ PenthouseSide A runout
EA 181 B-4-1-1-7 PenthouseSide B runout
EA 181ASide A label
EA 181BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 1872First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1345First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1345First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI America ED.83 / EMI America ED-83First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ED.83 / EMI America ED-83First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 200322First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America V 75073 / EMI America V-75073First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America B-8231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1C K 062-20 0333 6 / EMI America 1C K 062 20 0333 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 200333612", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-20 0322 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 2003227First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 1549376First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | EMI America 20032277", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 1C 006 200322 7 / EMI America 1C 006 20 0322 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI America AMI-13457", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
74 vinyl pressings of Blue Jean are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America 12EA 181, released September 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12EA 181, EA 181, EA181, B-8231) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12EA 181 A-1-1-1- NICKZ Penthouse and 12EA 181 B-2-1-1- Penthouse. 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.
