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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
David Bowie – "Heroes"
1977 · UK · RCA Victor · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- I-24 PL-12522-A-2 A2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-26 PL-12522-A-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-29 PL-12522-A-2 A2 XW A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-2 PL-12522-A-2 A2 XVW A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-27 PL-12522-A-2 A2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-35 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X W A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-24 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X 'W' A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-28 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X 'W' A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-17 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X 'W' A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-18 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X 'W' A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶
- Runout — side B
- I-22 PL-12522-B-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶ A5I-24 PL-12522-B-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶I-36 PL-12522 -13-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶ A5I-4 PL-12522-B-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶ A5I-10 PL-12522-B-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶ A5I-35 PL-12522-B-2 A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶ A5I-23 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5I-27 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5I-13 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5I-14 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5I-19 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5I-32 PL-12522-A-2 A2 X 'W' A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-A̶I-38 PL-12522-B-2 (A̶F̶L̶-1̶-2̶5̶2̶2̶-B̶) A5
- Matrix / runout
- STERLING gc.
- Price Code
- ZZ
- Manufactured By
- RCA Ltd.
- Recorded At
- Hansa Tonstudios
- Mixed At
- Mountain Studios
- Mastered At
- Sterling Sound
- Pressed By
- Island Records Manufacturing Ltd
Specifications
- Artist
- David Bowie
- Genre
- Electronic, Rock
- Style
- Experimental
- Year
- 1977
- Label
- RCA Victor, RCA
- Catalog number
- PL 12522
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Beauty And The Beast
- A2Joe The Lion
- A3"Heroes"
- A4Sons Of The Silent Age
- A5Blackout
- B1V-2 Schneider
- B2Sense Of Doubt
- B3Moss Garden
- B4Neuköln
- B5The Secret Life Of Arabia
- Producer
- David Bowie
- Producer
- Tony Visconti
- Mastered By
- Greg Calbi
- Engineer
- Colin Thurston
- Engineer
- Tony Visconti
- Engineer [Assistant]
- David Richards
About this record
This UK pressing of David Bowie's "Heroes" from 1977 is distinguished by the 'STERLING gc.' markings on both side runouts, indicating mastering and lacquer cutting by Greg Calbi. The laminated cover sleeve includes a lyrics insert with white text on a black background, and the labels omit quote marks around the title track on side A3.
Pressed at RCA Ltd. and Island Records Manufacturing Ltd, this release was manufactured by RCA Limited in England from RCA Records' master recordings.
What drives its value
Collectors' prices for this pressing range from Mint at 9480 to VG at 5688, with VG+ copies priced at 820. The market snapshot shows 3 copies currently for sale at the lowest price point.
Demand remains high with 5688 collectors wanting it compared to 9480 who have it, reflecting strong interest for this UK edition. As an original 1977 UK pressing on RCA Victor with catalogue numbers PL 12522 and APL1 2522, it holds a significant place among Bowie's discography and commands premium pricing over typical reissues.
How to appraise this pressing
To verify this pressing, examine the matrix runout inscriptions: side A shows 'I-24 PL-12522-A-2' with 'STERLING gc.', and side B has 'I-22 PL-12522-B-2' also marked 'STERLING gc.'. The catalogue number PL 12522 on RCA Victor or APL1 2522 on RCA labels identifies this 1977 UK pressing.
The laminated cover sleeve and the presence of the lyrics insert with white text on black confirm authenticity. Grading should consider these identifiers alongside condition, as Mint copies fetch 9480 while VG copies settle around 5688.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
This version has 'STERLING gc.' markings on both sides runout writings. These can credit mastering and lacquer cutting to Greg Calbi.
Laminated cover sleeve and comes with a lyrics insert (white text on black background). No quote marks around the song A3 (Heroes) on the labels.
Recorded at Hansa by the Wall, Berlin. Mixed at Mountain Studios, Montreux.
℗ 1977 RCA Records Manufactured by RCA Limited, England from Master Recordings of RCA Records.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
What matrix runout markings confirm this pressing?
The runouts include 'STERLING gc.' on both sides, with side A showing 'I-24 PL-12522-A-2' and side B 'I-22 PL-12522-B-2', verifying mastering by Greg Calbi and RCA Ltd. pressing.
How much is a Mint copy worth?
A Mint copy is valued at 9480 according to the price guide, reflecting its rarity and condition for this 1977 UK RCA Victor pressing.
What distinguishes the labels on this pressing?
The labels omit quote marks around the track 'Heroes' on side A3, a detail unique to this edition.
How does demand compare to availability?
The community data shows 5688 collectors want this pressing, while 9480 have it, indicating strong demand relative to availability.
What pressing plants manufactured this record?
This pressing was made at RCA Ltd. and Island Records Manufacturing Ltd, both based in the UK.