Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1982
Rare 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.
8 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
PL 45406 A-1U-1-1- JASide A, variant 1, stamped, JA etched
PL 45406 B-1U-1-1- JASide B, variant 1, stamped, JA etched
PL 45406 A-1U-1-1 JASide A, variant 2, stamped, JA etched
PL 45406 B-1U-1-2- JASide B, variant 2, stamped, JA etched
RCA PL- 45406-A 020 E-0070 A-1 Made in GermanyA-side runout stamped/etched
RCA PL- 45406-B 020 E-0070 B-1 Made in GermanyB-side runout stamped/etched
3 7 PL 45 406 A2Runout side A, variant 1
[AGI logo] B3_1 PL 45 406 B AMRunout side B, variant 1
[AGI logo] B3_1 PL 45 406 A AMRunout side A, stamped & etched (AM), variant 2
[AGI logo] B3_1 PL 45 406 B AMRunout side B, variant 2, stamped & etched (AM), variant 2
S-I RCA PL-45406-ARunout side A
S-I RCA PL-45406-BRunout side B
PL 45406-ALabel side A
PL 45406-BLabel side B
PL 45406 A - 1U - 1 -Side A Stamped
PL 45406 B - 1U - 1 -Side B Stamped
CP JABoth Sides Hand Etched
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 | Europe | RCA Victor PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Europe | RCA PL 89001 / RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | France | RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Germany | RCA Victor PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Italy | RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | RCA PL 45406First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor VPL1 7457LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA PL 89001 / RCA PL 45406LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA 46 646 6LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA PL 45406LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Portugal | RCA PL 45406LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA PL 45406 / RCA Victor PL 45406LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA Victor PL 45406 / RCA Victor PL-45406LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | RCA PL 89001 / RCA Victor PL 45406LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | RCA RCLP 20262LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
19 vinyl pressings of Rare are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Europe, France, Germany and more. One of them is RCA PL 45406.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 45406, PL 89001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PL 45406 A-1U-1-1- JA and PL 45406 B-1U-1-1- JA. 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.
