Vinyl pressings
by Lulu · 1974
The Man Who Sold The World was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 20 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.
2001490 A // 2 420 0 11 12Stamped run-out, A-side. Var. 1
2001490 B // 1 ∇ 420 0 11 30Stamped run-out, B-side. Var. 1
2001490 A // 2 420 0 11 17Stamped run-out, A-side. Var. 2
2001490 B // 1 ∇ 420 0 11 20Stamped run-out, B-side. Var. 2
2001490 A // 2 420 0 11 12Stamped run-out, A-side. Var. 1
2001490 B // 1 ∇ 420 0 11 30Stamped run-out, B-side. Var. 1
2001490 A // 2 420 0 11 17Stamped run-out, A-side. Var. 2
2001490 B // 1 ∇ 420 0 11 20Stamped run-out, B-side. Var. 2
P CH-3001-AS KENDUN
P CH-3001-BS KENDUN
CH-3001-AM-DJ △ 95008Etched A
CH-3001-AM-DJ △ 95009Etched B
CH-3001-AM-DJ KENDUN MR △95480Deadwax A
CH-3001-AS-DJ KENDUN MR △95009Deadwax 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Angola | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Canada | Chelsea Records CH 3001XFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2001 490First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2001 490First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2001490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Ireland | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Italy | Polydor 2001 490First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Polydor DP 1926First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | Polydor DP 1926First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
29 vinyl pressings of The Man Who Sold The World are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, US, Yugoslavia, Angola and more. One of them is Polydor 2001 490.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2001 490, CH-3001, CH-3001-DJ, S 53740) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2001490 A // 2 420 0 11 12 and 2001490 B // 1 ∇ 420 0 11 30. 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.
