Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1980
Fashion was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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-T-7- A-1 / SO THERE! / TOWNHOUSE / W / A I ASide A runout, variant 1
BOW-T-7-B-1 / SO THERE! / TOWNHOUSE / W / AI ASide B runout, variant 1
BOW-T-7-A-1 SO THERE! 'W' A2TVariation 2 Side 1 etched
BOW-T-7-B-2 SO THERE! 'W' A1OVariation 2 Side 2 etched
A1O SO THERE! BOW 7 A-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A variant 1
A4G SO THERE! BOW 7 B-2 TOWNHOUSERunout side B variant 1
A3 SO THERE! TOWNHOUSE W-4KD BOW 7-A-1 WRunout side A variant 2
A3 SO THERE! TOWNHOUSE W-3KD BOW 7-B-2- WRunout side B variant 2
BOW 7-A-2- 'W' A5G SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
BOW 7-B-2- 'W' A5M SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
BOW 7-A-1- 'W' A5D SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
BOW 7-B-2- 'W' A5C SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
RCA PB-9622-A/3 SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSE Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A, stamped except "So There" etched
RCA PB-9622-B/3 SO THERE ! TOWNHOUSE Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B, stamped except "So There" etched
PB 9622 ALabel side A
PB 9622 BLabel side B
BOW-T-7-A-2 SO THERE! TOWNHOUSE ‘W’ A2BSide A runout
BOW-T-7-B-2 SO THERE! TOWNHOUSE ‘W’ A1ASide B runout
BOW T 7 ASide A label
BOW T 7 BSide B label
TOWNHOUSE BOW 7-A-1- 'W' A1G SO THERE !Runout side A
TOWNHOUSE BOW 7-B-2- 'W' A1E SO THERE !Runout side B
BOW 7 ALabel A
BOW 7 BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor 103709First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor TDS-088First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 9622First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12134First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12134First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1980 | El Salvador | RCA CA-11048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | RCA PB 2134 / RCA Victor PB 2134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | RCA PB 2134First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA PB 9622 / RCA Victor PB 9622First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PC 9638First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PC 963812", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Netherlands | RCA PC-129622First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103709First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-1025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | RCA BOW 7 / RCA PB 96227", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
34 vinyl pressings of Fashion are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is RCA BOW T 7, released October 24, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BOW T 7, BOW 7, PD-12145, PB-12134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BOW-T-7- A-1 / SO THERE! / TOWNHOUSE / W / A I A and BOW-T-7-B-1 / SO THERE! / TOWNHOUSE / W / AI A. 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.
