Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1972
The Jean Genie was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BPKS 6559 ERunout side A, variant 1
BGBS 1160-1ERunout side B, variant 1
BPKS 6559 EIRunout side A, variant 2
BGBS 1160 EIRunout side B, variant 2
BPKS 6559 ESide A runout, stamped
BGBS 1160 ESide B runout, stamped
BPKS 6559Side A label
BGBS 1160Side B label
BPKS 6559 E1 44 ASide A stamped runout, variant 1
BGBS 1160 E1 ∆ DSide B stamped runout, variant 1
BPKS 6559 E1 5 DSide A stamped runout, variant 2
BGBS 1160 E1 3 DSide B stamped runout, variant 2
BPKS 6559 E1 D 17Runout side A
BGBS 1160 E1 D 03Runout side B
BPKS 6559Label side A
BGBS 1160Label side B
BPKS 6559 E1Runout side A
BGBS 1160 E1Runout side B
BPKS 6559Label side A
BGBS 1160Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | India | RCA Victor IRCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Ireland | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60614First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1972 | Singapore | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Argentina | RCA Victor 31A-2257 / RCA Victor RCA-23027", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor 1022217", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Australia | RCA Victor 1022217", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA 74-16238 / RCA Victor 74-16 2387", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16 238 / RCA Victor 74-162387", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16238 / RCA 74-162387", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | RCA BOW 515 / RCA RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 515 / RCA RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA BOW 515 / RCA RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA BOW 515 / RCA RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA BOW 515 / RCA RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | USA & Europe | EMI DBJEAN 40 / EMI 50999979031787", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered, Stereo, Mono · Mono, Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Morgot Records 006Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | RCA Victor RCA 23027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of The Jean Genie are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1972 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, India, Ireland, New Zealand and more. One of them is RCA Victor RCA 2302, released November 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 2302, IRCA 2302, 60614) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPKS 6559 E and BGBS 1160-1E. 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.
