Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1973
Sorrow 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.
43 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 22 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.
RCA2424A-4EEtched, Side A Variant 1
RCA2424B-4EEtched, Side B Variant 1
RCA2424A-3EEtched, Side A, Variant 2
RCA2424B-3EEtched, Side B, Variant 2
RCA 2424A3 2 5 ()Stamped, Side A
RCA2424B3 3 1 ()Stamped, Side B
RCA2424 A3 O ( ) ( )Stamped variant 1, side A
RCA2424 B3 AStamped variant 1, side B
RCA 2424 A3Variant 1: Side A
RCA 2424 B3Variant 1: Side B
RCA 2424 A3 1C DVariant 2: Side A
RCA 2424 B3 C 3Variant 2: Side B
RCA 2424 A3 HRunout side A, etched, H stamped
RCA 2424 B 3 HRunout side B, etched, H stamped
RCA 2424 ALabel side A
RCA 2424 BLabel side B
RCA 2424 A3Side A runout - variant 1
RCA 2424 B3Side B runout - variant 1
RCA 2424 A3 2Side A runout - variant 2
RCA 2424 B3 6Side B runout - variant 2
RCA2424A-3EEtched, Side A
RCA2424B-3EEtched, Side B
RCA 2424ALabel, Side A
RCA 2424BLabel, Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-2388First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor 102383First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | RCA Victor 991.4108First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Canada | RCA Victor APB0-0160First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Chile | RCA Victor LPF - 0011First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | El Salvador | RCA Victor APBO-0160First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41137 / RCA Victor 41.137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41137 / RCA Victor 41.137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor 41137 / RCA Victor 41.137First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | RCA Victor RCA 2424First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 383 / RCA 74-16 383First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16383 / RCA 74-16383First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | India | RCA Victor APBO-0160First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2424First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | RCA RCA 2424First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11075 / RCA 26.110757", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA Victor 26.11075 / RCA 26.110757", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 519 / RCA RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 5197", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 519 / RCA RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 519 / RCA 24247", Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Parlophone 825646406845 / Parlophone DBSOZ 40307", Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Art & Muzyka ARM - 30230 - 1Flexi-disc, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | Flexi-disc, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | Portugal | RCA Victor APAO 01607", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | RCA RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 24247", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Zimbabwe | RCA Victor 42-4877", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
66 vinyl pressings of Sorrow are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1973 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Germany, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2424, released September 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2424, 2424, APB0-0160, DJH0-0160) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA2424A-4E and RCA2424B-4E. 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.
