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Transformer by Lou Reed, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Transformer

by Lou Reed · 1972

164 pressings22 countriesGlamRock

Transformer 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Transformer

22 pressings came out in 1972, 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.

US

November 8, 1972
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LSP-4807
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Hollywood Pressing
Runout / matrix

BPRS-7038 5S HRun-out side A, variant 1

BPRS-7039 6S HRun-out side B, variant 1

BPRS - - 7038 - 7S HRun-out side A, variant 2

BPRS - - 7039 - 7S HRun-out side B, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1972
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LSP-4807RCA LSP-4807
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Indianapolis Pressing
Runout / matrix

BPRS-7038 5S A ISide A stamped runout variant 1

BPRS-7039 6S A1 ISide B stamped runout variant 1

BPRS-7038 5S A 1 ISide A stamped runout variant 2

BPRS-7038 6S A 2 ISide B stamped runout variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1972
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LSP-4807
Format
LP, Album · Rockaway
Runout / matrix

BPRS-7038-4S-B2FRunout side A variant 1

BPRS-7039-5S-A1WRunout side B variant 1

BPRS-7038-4S-BINRunout side A variant 2

BPRS-7039-5S-AIMRunout side B variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

November 1972
Label and catalog number
RCA LSP-4807RCA Victor LSP 4807
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Laminated, 2nd Cut
Runout / matrix

BPRS 7038-2E A2ASide A runout

BPRS 7039 1E BPRS 7039-1E A6CSide B runout

BPRS 7038Side A label

BPRS 7039Side B label

Full details of this pressing

UK

December 8, 1972
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LSP-4807
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Laminated Sleeve
Runout / matrix

BPRS-7038 1LRun-out side A, var. 1

BPRS-7039 1ERun-out side B, var. 1

BPRS-7038 1L A1TRun-out side A, var. 2

BPRS-7039 1E A1TRun-out side B, var. 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

1972
Label and catalog number
RCA Victor LSP 4807RCA LSP-4807
Format
LP, Album · Matte Sleeve
Runout / matrix

BPRS 7038 1E A1 /AA BVariant 1: Runout side A stamped, A1 /AA B etched

BPRS 7039 1E A1 AXVariant 1: Runout side B stamped, A1 AX etched

BPRS 7038-2E A4TVariant 2: Runout side A etched

BPRS 7039 1E. BPRS 7039-1E A4AAACVariant 2: Runout side B stamped, BPRS 7039-1E A4AAAC etched

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 164 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1970s61 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1972Australia & New ZealandRCA Victor LSP 4807 / RCA Victor BPRS 7038First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972Australia & New ZealandRCA Victor LSP 4807 / RCA Victor BPRS 7038First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972CanadaRCA Victor LSP-4807First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972FranceRCA Victor LSP 4807First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972FranceRCA NL 13806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1972FranceRCA Victor LSP 4807First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972FranceRCA LSP-4807First yearLP, StereoLP, Stereo
1972GermanyRCA LSP 4807 / RCA Victor LSP 4807First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972GermanyRCA LSP 4807 / RCA Victor LSP 4807First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo
1972New ZealandRCA Victor LSP 4807First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972South AfricaRCA 38-468 / RCA Victor 38-468First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKRCA Victor LSP 4807 / RCA LSP-4807First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKRCA Victor LSP-4807First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1972UKRCA Victor LSP 4807 / RCA LSP-4807First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1972UKRCA Victor LSP-4807First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
All 61 pressings from the 1970s
1980s25 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980CanadaRCA AYL1-3806 / RCA LSP-4807LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980CanadaRCA AYL1-3806LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1980CanadaRCA AYL1-3806LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1980USRCA AYL1-3806 / RCA Victor AYL1-3806LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo
1980USRCA AYL1-3806 / RCA Victor AYL1-3806LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo
1981ItalyRCA YL 13806LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
1981ItalyRCA YL 13806LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Promo
1981UKRCA International INTS 5061 / RCA International NL 13806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1981UKRCA International INTS 5061LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1982JapanRCA RPL-2117 / RCA AYL1-3806LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1982NetherlandsRCA International INTS-5061LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1983PortugalRCA PL1 3806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1984EuropeRCA International NL 83806 / RCA International S NL 83806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1984EuropeRCA International NL 83806 / RCA INTS 5061LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1984UK & EuropeRCA International NL 83806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
All 25 pressings from the 1980s
1990s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1990SpainRCA NL 13.806 / RCA NL-13806LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 210098-1 311 / BMG International 210098-1 311LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 210098-1311LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 210098-1311LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 210098-1311LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 21 0098-1 311 / BMG International 21 0098-1 311LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · PromoLP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 21 0098-1311 / BMG International 21 0098-1311LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl
1991CzechoslovakiaGlobus International 210098-1 311 / BMG International 210098-1 311LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2000s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2000UKRCA NL 83806 / Simply Vinyl SVLP 0058LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · LimitedLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited
2004GermanySpeakers Corner Records LSP-4807 / RCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2004GermanyRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2005EuropeRCA S125007LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2007EuropeRCA 88697159731LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2007EuropeRCA 88697159731LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressingLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing
2009EuropeRCA MOVLP039 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP039LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2010s13 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2012USRCA 88691958041 / RCA Victor 88691958041LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Stereo
2013UKRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
2013UKRCA Victor LSP 4807 / RCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
2014UKRCA LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl
2014UKRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · UnofficialLP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial
2015USRCA 88875071411LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl
2016EuropeRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2016EuropeRCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl
2016USRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2017USRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Reissue, RemasteredLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered
2018FranceRCA 88985349031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
2018EuropeRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo
2019AustraliaRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
2020s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2020GermanySpeakers Corner Records LSP-4807 / RCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo
2021UKRCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl
2022ItalyRCA PL 8-1433 / Sony Music PL 8-1433LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl
2022ItalyRCA PL 8-1433 / Sony Music PL 8-1433LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2022USRCA 88985349031LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinylLP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl
2023WorldwideRCA 88985349031 / RCA Victor 88985349031LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · LimitedLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited
2025WorldwideRCA 19802971961 / Sony Music 19802971961LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinylLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Colored vinyl
Year unknown43 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?UnknownRCA S125007LP, Album, White LabelLP, Album, White Label
?AustraliaRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, RepressLP, Album, Repress
?AustraliaRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?AustraliaRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, AlbumLP, Album
?AustraliaRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?BeneluxRCA International NL 83806LPLP
?CanadaRCA Victor LSP-4807LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?CanadaRCA Limited LSP-4807LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?EuropeSimply Vinyl S125007LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?EuropeRCA International NL 83806 / RCA International S NL 83806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?EuropeRCA International NL 83806LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?FranceRCA Victor APL1 0736LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?FranceRCA Victor NL 13806LP, AlbumLP, Album
?GermanyRCA Victor CL 13806LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?GermanyRCA LSP 4807 / RCA 26.21098LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
All 43 pressings from unknown years

Tracklist

  1. A1Vicious2:55
  2. A2Andy's Chest3:17
  3. A3Perfect Day3:43
  4. A4Hangin' Round3:39
  5. A5Walk On The Wild Side4:12
  6. B1Make Up2:58
  7. B2Satellite Of Love3:40
  8. B3Wagon Wheel3:19
  9. B4New York Telephone Conversation1:31
  10. B5I'm So Free3:07
  11. B6Goodnight Ladies4:19

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Transformer are there?

164 vinyl pressings of Transformer are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1972 and 2025.

When was Transformer first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4807, released November 8, 1972.

How do I tell if my copy of Transformer is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4807, LSP 4807, 38-468) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPRS-7038 5S H and BPRS-7039 6S H. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Transformer on vinyl worth?

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.

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