Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1982
David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht's Baal was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BOW 11 A-1URunout side A, variant 1
BOW 11 B-1URunout side B, variant 1
BOW 11 A-1U 1 11Runout side A, variant 2
BOW 11 B-1U 1 4Runout side B, variant 2
BOW 11 A-1URunout stamped side A
BOW 11 B-1URunout stamped side B
BOW 11 A-1U 1: (both stamped sideways) C1Side A variation
BOW 11 B-1U 1 (stamped sideways)Side B variation
BOW 11 A-1U 0 3 3Runout side A, stamped
BOW 11 B-1U 0 5 2Runout side B, stamped
BOW 11 A§Label side A
BOW 11 B§Label side B
CPL1 4346A 1 I ∧1 ARunout side A, stamped
CPL1 4346B 1 I ∧3GRunout side B, stamped
CPL1-4346-ALabel side A
CPL1-4346-BLabel side B
LKAY 38138 IS - 1A2 PA 2 Piero 31-03-82Stamped runout side A
LKAY 38139 IS - 1A 7 PA 2 Piero 31-03-82Stamped runout side B
LKAY 38138Label side A
LKAY 38139Label side B
CPL1 4346 A ② G. CRSide A runout, etched (CR encircled and stamped)
CPL1 4346 B G. CRSide B runout, etched (CR encircled and stamped)
CPL1 4346 A G. CRSide A runout, etched (CR encircled and stamped)
CPL1 4346 B ② G. CRSide B runout, etched (CR encircled and stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL1-4346First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1982 | France | RCA Victor PC 8902First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA Victor PG 45092 / RCA PG 45092First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA Victor PG 45092 / RCA PG 45092First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA Victor PG 4509212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20366First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | RCA RPL-2122First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | RCA RPL-2122First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | RCA Victor TRC 3160First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | South Africa | RCA Victor TRS 388First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA Victor PC 8902First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | US | RCA Victor CPL1-4346First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1982 | UK | RCA BOW 11First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | RCA BOW 11First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | UK | RCA BOW 11First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Regal Zonophone DBBAAL 2018 / Regal Zonophone 019029566745010", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
20 vinyl pressings of David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht's Baal are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is RCA BOW 11, released February 12, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BOW 11, CPL1-4346, PG 45092, PC 8902) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BOW 11 A-1U and BOW 11 B-1U. 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.
