Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1973
Life On Mars was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
RCA 2316 A IE 2 O ⋀Runout side A, stamped
RCA 2316 B IE 1 2 BRunout side B, stamped
RCA 2316 A IE ⋀Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
RCA 2316 B IE 2 3 ⋀Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
RCA-2316-A-3E A1J WRunout side A, etched - Variant 1
RCA 2316-B-4E A1K WRunout side B, etched - Variant 1
RCA-2316-A-3E A1AB WRunout side A, etched - Variant 2
RCA 2316-B-4E A1Q WRunout side B, etched - Variant 2
RCA 2316 A 1ERunout side A, stamped, variant 1
RCA 2316 B 1ERunout side B, stamped, variant 1
RCA 2316 A 1E 3 ⋀Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
RCA 2316 B 1E 3 ⋀Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
RCA-2316 A-2EA-side runout stamped
RCA-2316 B-2EB-side runout stamped
RCA 2316AA-side label
RCA 2316BB-side label
RCA-2316 A-2ERunout side A, stamped variant 1
RCA-2316 B-2ERunout side B, stamped variant 1
RCA-2316 A-1E ΛRunout side A, stamped variant 2
RCA-2316 B-1E Λ C 5Runout side B, stamped variant 2
RCA 2316 A 1E DRunout side A, stamped
RCA 2316 B 1E 1 1Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41.110First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41.110First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41.110First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA 74-16 339 / RCA Victor 74-16 339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA 74-16339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 339 / RCA 74-16 339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60635First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2316First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 502 / RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 502 / RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 502 / RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK | RCA BOW 502 / RCA RCA 23167", Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA BOW 5027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK & Europe | EMI DBMARS 407", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Remastered, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA RCA 23167", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Life On Mars are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, France, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2316, released June 22, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2316, 41.110, 74-16 339, 60635) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 2316 A IE 2 O ⋀ and RCA 2316 B IE 1 2 B. 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.
