Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1969
Space Oddity was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 16 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.
304201 1F//2 420 122Variant 1 runout side A, stamped
304201 2F//2 420 128Variant 1 runout side B, stamped
304201 1F//2 420 1 122Variant 2 runout side A, stamped
304201 2F//2 420 1 223Variant 2 runout side B, stamped
304201 1F//2 420 1 2 6Run-out side A, stamped
304201 2F//2 420 1 3 1Run-out side B, stamped
304 201 1FLabel side A
304 201 2FLabel side B
304201 1F//2 420 1 1 1 3Run-out side A, stamped variant 1
304201 2F//2 420 1 1 0 1Run-out side B, stamped variant 1
304201 1F//2 420 1 1 19Run-out side A, stamped variant 2
304201 2F//2 420 1 1 1 9Run-out side B, stamped variant 2
304201 1F//2 420 1 1 1 1Side A stamped
304201 2F//2 420 1 1 1 9Side B stamped
304 201 1FSide A label
304 201 2FSide B label
304201 1F//2 420Side A [Stamped]
304201 2F//2 420Side B [Stamped]
304 201 1FSide A [Label]
304 201 2FSide B [Label]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Philips BF-452First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Australia | Philips BF-4527", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1969 | Australia | Philips BF-4527", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Belgium | Philips BF 304201First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Belgium | Philips BW 704201First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Canada | Mercury M. 72949First year7" | 7" |
| 1969 | France | Philips B 304.201 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | France | Philips B 304.201 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | Germany | Philips 704 201 BWFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | Greece | Philips 3827 / Philips 704 201 BWFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1969 | Italy | Philips 704 201 BWFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Italy | Philips 704 201 BWFirst year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1969 | Japan | Philips SFL-1244(M)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | Japan | Philips SFL-1244(M)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Philips 704 201 BWFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Brazil | Philips CS 139.0507", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Spain | Philips 53 04 2017", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Worldwide | Parlophone DBSO140 / Parlophone 08256460794527", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2019 | Unknown | Parlophone 0190295473792 / Philips BF 1801Box Set, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Mono | Box Set, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Unknown | Philips SFL-1244(M)7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Philips BF 18017", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Poland | Morgot Records 045Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
40 vinyl pressings of Space Oddity are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1969 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Philips BF1801, released July 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BF1801, BF 1801, 72949, DJ-156) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 304201 1F//2 420 122 and 304201 2F//2 420 128. 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.
