Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1977
Sound And Vision was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 15 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.
PB 0905-A-2E W PN-A A2 HRunout side A, variant 1
PB 0905-B-1E A/CRunout side B, variant 1
PB 0905-A-2E W PN-A A2 TRunout side A, variant 2
PB 0905-B-1E A2L MRunout side B, variant 2
PB 0905 - A - 1E A2D 'WRunout side A, variant 1
PB 0905 - B · 1E A2F 'W'Runout side B, variant 1
PB 0905-A-1E A2 G MRunout side A, variant 2
PB 0905-B-1E A2 C MRunout side B, variant 2
PB0905-A-2ESide A, runout, etched
PB 0905-B-1ESide B, runout, etched
PB 0905 ASide A, label
PB 0905 BSide B, label
PB 0905-A-2E W PN-A ✓Etched runout, side A
PB 0905-B-1E WEtched runout, side B
PB 0905-A-1E AIA MRunout Side A, etched
PB 0905-B-1E AIA MRunout Side B, etched
PB 0905-A-1E AIG MJRunout Side A, etched. Variant 2
PB 0905-B-1E AIA MRunout Side B, etched. Variant 2
PB-10905-A-20 (etched) STERLING A2 (stamped)Runout side A (Variant 1)
PB-10905-B-21 (etched) STERLING A1 (stamped)Runout side B (Variant 1)
I A1 PB-10905-A-21 STERLINGA-Side Runout (Variant 2)
I A1 PB-10905-B-21 STERLINGB-Side Runout (Variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 102883First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 0905 / RCA Victor PB-0905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 0905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10905First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | RCA Victor PB-10905First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | El Salvador | RCA Victor CA-10069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RCA Victor PB 0905 / RCA PB 0905First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3076First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3076First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB-0905 / RCA PB-0905First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | RCA Victor PB 0905 / RCA Victor PB-0905First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 102883First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 1028837", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1977 | Portugal | RCA Victor PB 0905First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42-770First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 510 / RCA PB 09057", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 510 / RCA PB 09057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 510 / RCA PB 09057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Worldwide | Parlophone DBSAV407", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (David Bowie)Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Picture disc |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor PB 09057", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA PB 09057", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
36 vinyl pressings of Sound And Vision are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Italy, Netherlands and more. One of them is RCA Victor PB 0905, released February 11, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 0905, PB-10905, JH-10905, 102883) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB 0905-A-2E W PN-A A2 H and PB 0905-B-1E A/C. 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.
