Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1990
Fame 90 was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 13 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.
FAME 90 A-1-1-2 DA side runout, stamped
FAME 90 AB-1-1-2 DB side runout, stamped
FAME 90AA side label
FAME 90AAB side label
FAME+PD+90+A ORLAKESide A runout etched
FAME+PD+90+B ORLAKESide B runout etched
D 12 FAME 90 A-1-1- 2Side A runout, stamped
D 12 FAME 90 B-1-1- 2Side B runout, stamped
FAME 90 A - 1 - 1 - 2 1 DSide A: Runout Stamped
FAME 90 AA - 1 - 1 - 2 DSide B: Runout Stamped
Fame 90ASide A: Label
Fame 90AASide B: Label
D 12 FAME 90 A-1-1- 2Runout A
D 12 FAME 90 B-1-1- 2Runout B
12FAME 90-ACenter Label A
12FAME 90-BCenter Label B
FAME 90 A-1-1-Q3 DSide A
FAME 90 AA-1-1-Q3 DSide AA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | EMI USA US 2378 / EMI Music Group Australasia US 2378First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | EMI USA US 2378 / EMI Music Group Australasia US 2378First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | Brazil | EMI 9951 216First year12", Mixed, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Mixed, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | Europe | EMI USA 006-20 3805 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | EMI USA 2038057First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | EMI USA 20380577", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Germany | EMI USA 060-20 3805 6 / EMI USA 060 20 3805 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Italy | EMI USA 14 2038056First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Italy | EMI USA 06 2038057First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Japan | EMI PRP-1506First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | Philippines | EMI USA EMI-73x397First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1990 | Philippines | Dyna EMI EP-E-USA-12x001 / EMI 12 FAME90First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Portugal | EMI 2038057First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | South Africa | EMI USA 12PS 121 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | EMI USA 05 20 3805 6First year12" | 12" |
30 vinyl pressings of Fame 90 are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is EMI USA FAMES 90, released March 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FAMES 90, FAME PD 90, 12 FAME 90, FAME 90) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FAME 90 A-1-1-2 D and FAME 90 AB-1-1-2 D. 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.
