Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1983
China Girl 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.
48 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 20 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.
12 EA 157 A-1-1-1-1Variant 1, runout side A
12 EA 157 B-1-1-1-1Variant 1, runout side B
12 EA 157 A-1-1-1-1Variant 2, runout side A
12 EA 157 B-2-1-1-1Variant 2, runout side B
EAP 157 A1 ·ORLAKE·Side A runout, variant 1
EAP+157+B 2 ORLAKESide B runout, variant 1
EAP 157 A1 ·ORLAKE·Side A runout, variant 2
EAP+157+B ORLAKESide B runout, variant 2
NICKZAll variants, A-side etched
PENTHOUSEAll variants, B-side etched
EA 157 A - 2 - 1 - 4 - NICKZVariant 1, A-side stamped, etched
EA 157 B -1 - 1- PENTHOUSEVariant 1, B-side stamped, etched
EA 157 A5Variant 1, side A runout, etched
EA 157 B-1-1Variant 1, side B runout, stamped
EA-157-A5 NICKZ PENTHOUSEVariant 2, Side A runout, etched
EA 157 B-1-1 5 PENTHOUSEVariant 2, side B runout
EA 157 A-2-1-Q3- 10 NICKZSide A runout, stamped & etched
EA 157 B-2-1-Q2- 12 PENTHOUSESide B runout, stamped & etched
EA 157ASide A label
EA 157BSide B label
EA 157 A-3-1-1-1C NICKZA-side stamped, etched
EA 157 B-1-1-7-7 PENTHOUSEB-side stamped, etched
EA 157AA-side label
EA 157BB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America AMI-999First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America AMI-999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America 75038First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B 8165First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B 8165First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-1866877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A K052Z-1866896 / EMI America 1A 052Z-1866896First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-1866877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 1866877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 1545136First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 18668777", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI America 1C 006 1866877First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI America 1866877", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Ireland | EMI America EA 157First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | EMI America 06 1866877First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 2193Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 2193Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 2193Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
55 vinyl pressings of China Girl are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America 12 EA 157, released June 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 EA 157, EAP 157, EA 157, B-8165) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 EA 157 A-1-1-1-1 and 12 EA 157 B-1-1-1-1. 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.
