Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1970
The Prettiest Star was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 8 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.
6052011 1F//1 1/SRunout side A, stamped variant 1
6052011 2F//1 1/SRunout side B, stamped variant 1
6052011 1F//1 1 1 2Runout side A, stamped variant 2
6052011 2F//1 1 1 1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
6052011 1F/1A side matrix
6052011 2f/1B side matrix
6052 011-1FA-side label
6052 011-2FB-side label
6052 011 ∇ 1 = 1 ※ 520 ℗ 1970Runout side A
6052 011 ∇ 2 = 1 ※ 520 ℗ 1970Runout side B
6052 011.1Side A, label
6052 011.2Side B, label
10 AA6052011 1F 320Runout [stamped] side A
10 AA6052011 2F 320Runout [stamped] side B
AA 6052 011.1 FA side label
AA 6052 011.2 FB side label
6052 011.1Label side A
6052 011.2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Germany | Mercury 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Ireland | Mercury EMF.1135First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Italy | Philips 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Japan | Philips SFL-1277First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Japan | Philips SFL-1277 M / Philips SFL-1277First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1970 | Netherlands | Mercury 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Spain | Philips 60 52 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | Mercury MF 1135 / Mercury 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Mercury 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | Mercury MF 1135First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Italy | Philips 6052 011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Italy | Philips 6052 0117", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono |
| 2014 | Italy | Philips 6052 0117", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Italy | Philips 6052 0117", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Italy | Philips 6052 0117", 45 RPM, Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Numbered, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2019 | Unknown | Philips SFL-1277 M / Philips SFL-12777", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Mercury 6052 0117", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Philips 6052 011 / Mercury 6052 0117", Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Numbered, Picture disc | 7", Numbered, Picture Disc, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Numbered, Picture disc |
| ? | Europe | Mercury 6052 0117", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono |
| ? | 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 |
20 vinyl pressings of The Prettiest Star are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1970 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, Scandinavia, Italy, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury MF 1135, released March 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MF 1135, 6052 011, EMF.1135, SFL-1277) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6052011 1F//1 1/S and 6052011 2F//1 1/S. 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.
