Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1978
Stage was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
PL-02193-A-1Runout, Variant 1, Side A
PL-02193-B-1Runout, Variant 1, Side B
PL-02193-C-1Runout, Variant 1, Side C
PL-02193-D-1Runout, Variant 1, Side D
PL-02193-A-1A Side runout
PL-02193-B-1B Side runout
PL-02193-C-1C Side runout
PL-02193-D-1D Side runout
PL-XXXXX A-1-02913Side A runout, etched (02913 crossed out) Variation 1
PL-02193-A-2ESide A runout, etched, Variation 2
PL-02193-A-3ESide A runout, etched, Variation 3
PL-02193-B-1B Side
CPL-2-2913-A-1 I STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
CPL-2-2913-B-1 I STERLING JJRunout side B, variant 1
CPL2-2913C-31 IRunout side C, variant 1
CPL-2-2913-D-2 I STERLING A3 HRunout side D, variant 1
Side A (etched, except 'Sterling' and A2): CPL-2-2913-A-1 I (scratched out) STERLING A2
Side B (etched, except 'Sterling' and A2): CPL-2-2913-B-2 I (scratched out) STERLING A2
Side C (etched, except 'Sterling' and A2): CPL-2-2913-C-2 I (scratched out) STERLING A2
Side D (etched, except 'Sterling' and A2): CPL-2-2913-D-2 I (scratched out) STERLING A2
CPL-2-2913-A-1 I STERLING A2Runout side A
CPL 2-2913-B-2 I STERLING A2Runout side B
CPL-2-2913 C-2 I STERLING A3Runout side C
CPL-2-2913-D-1 I A2 STERLINGRunout side D, variant 6
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor CPL2 2913LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Belgium | RCA Victor PL 02913(2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | RCA Victor 111.4005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-2913First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-2913First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | RCA PL 02913First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | France | RCA PL 02913First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | RCA Victor PL 02913(2) / RCA Victor PL 02913First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | RCA Victor PL 02913(2) / RCA Victor S PL 02913(2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RCA PL 02913 / RCA Victor PL 02913First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RCA PL 02913 / RCA Victor PL 02913First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Greece | RCA Victor PL 02913First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PL 02913(2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PL 02913(2)LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | Italy | RCA PL 02913First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Parlophone DB 77824LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | Unknown | Parlophone DB 77825 / Parlophone 0190295842789LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor CPL2 2913LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | RCA Victor PL 02913(2) / RCA Victor PL 02913LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | RCA Victor PL 02913(2) / RCA Victor S PL 02913(2)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor PL 02913LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor PL 02913LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | RCA PL 02913 / RCA Victor PL 02913LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | RCA PL 02913(2) / RCA Victor PL 02913(2)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89002LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK & Europe | RCA PL 89002LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
53 vinyl pressings of Stage are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1978 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RCA Victor PL 02913(2), released September 25, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 02913(2), CPL2-2913, CPL2 2913, 111.4005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PL-02193-A-1 and PL-02193-B-1. 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.
