Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1970
The World Of David Bowie 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.
6 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 3 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.
ZAL-9453.P-1W 1 JT KRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
ZAL-9454.P-1W 1 JT CRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
ZAL-9453.P-1W 1 BRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
ZAL-9454.P-1W 1 URunout side B, stamped, variant 2
ZAL-9453.P-1W B JT 1Runout side A, variant 1
ZAL-9454.P-1W M JT 1Runout side B, variant 1
ZAL-9453.P-1W CK JT 1Runout side A, variant 2
ZAL-9454.P-1W II JT 1Runout side B, variant 2
ZAL 9453P-1WSide A runout, variant 1
ZAL 9454P-1WSide B runout, variant 1
ZAL 9453.P-1W BB JT 7Side A runout, variant 2
ZAL 9454.P-1W II JT 7Side B runout, variant 2
ZAL9453 YDECX1081Runout A, etched
ZAL9454 YDECX1082Runout B, etched
ZAL9453Label side A
ZAL9454Label 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 | Australia | Decca SPA 58First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1970 | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA58First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Decca PA 58First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1970 | UK | Decca SPA 58First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Europe | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Decca SPAI 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Decca 6454 038LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | Decca 9-46009LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L20P 1053LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L20P 1053LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Japan | London Records L18P 1268LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Decca 0602577246708 / Decca SPA5890LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Record Store Day, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 210.039 / Decca 210.039 BLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Decca 210.039 / Decca 210.039 BLP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SPA.58 / Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA.58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 58 / Decca SPA58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SPA 58LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
44 vinyl pressings of The World Of David Bowie are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1970 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, Australia, New Zealand. One of them is Decca SPA 58.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPA 58, PA 58) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-9453.P-1W 1 JT K and ZAL-9454.P-1W 1 JT 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.
