Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1974
David Bowie was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year. 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.
20610A A1A1stamped A runout (variant 1)
20610B A1A1stamped B runout (variant 1)
20610A A1A1stamped A runout (variant 2)
20610B A1A2stamped B runout (variant 2)
20610A A1A1stamped A runout
20610B A1A2stamped B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor 20610First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1974 | Australia | RCA Victor 20610First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1978 | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP | 7", EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP, Reissue | 7", EP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 7", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 7", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 7", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", EP, Reissue, Stereo | 7", EP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", 45 RPM, EP, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Mispress |
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 206107", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
11 vinyl pressings of David Bowie are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1974 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Australia. One of them is RCA Victor 20610, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 20610) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 20610A A1A1 and 20610B A1A1. 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.
