Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1978
Breaking Glass was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 5 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.
.W. GETAS BOW 1 PB 93 37-A-1UVariant 1, Run-out area A-side [hand-etched]
'W' A1AC BOW 1 PB 93 37-B-1U GATESVariant 1, Run-out area B-side [hand-etched]
'W' AIE P̶B̶ ̶9̶3̶3̶7̶ A-2U BOW 1 [Utopia Lyre] GETASVariant 2, Run-out area A-side [hand-etched]
'W' AIL BOW-1 P̶B̶ ̶9̶3̶3̶7̶ -B-1U [Utopia Lyre] GATESVariant 2, Run-out area B-side [hand-etched]
A-20 BOW-1 [Lyre symbol] GETAS W AIESide A runout, etched
BOW-1-B-IU [Lyre symbol] GETAS W AILSide B runout, etched
BOW 1 ASide A label
BOW 1 BSide B label
ZPRS 767+/1Side A runout, etched, variant 1
ZPRS 768+/1Side B runout, etched, variant 1
ZPRS 767+/4Side A runout, etched, variant 2
ZPRS 768+/4Side B runout, etched, variant 2
PB 9337 A JS1 A.R.E.A.C.E.M.Runout side A
PB 9337 B JS1 A.R.E.A.C.E.M.Runout side B
PB 9337 ALabel side A
PB 9337 BLabel side B
PB 9337 A II 37945-1-1Side A runout, etched
PB 9337-B II 37946-1-1Side B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | RCA Victor PB 9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | RCA Victor BOW 1 / RCA Victor PB 9337First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | RCA Victor BOW 1 / RCA Victor PB 9337First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 520 / RCA BOW 17", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | RCA BOW 520 / RCA BOW 17", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Parlophone DBBG 40 / Parlophone 01902957142157", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
10 vinyl pressings of Breaking Glass are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Belgium, France, Netherlands and more. One of them is RCA Victor BOW 1, released November 17, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BOW 1, PB 9337, PB-9337) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, .W. GETAS BOW 1 PB 93 37-A-1U and 'W' A1AC BOW 1 PB 93 37-B-1U GATES. 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.
