VinylAI 
Data as of Jun 16, 2026
David Bowie – Hunky Dory
1971 · UK · RCA Victor · Vinyl LP Album Stereo
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Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Jun 13, 2026
- MMint
- $1643.98
- NMNear Mint
- $1470.93
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $1124.83
- VGVery Good
- $778.73
- G+Good Plus
- $432.63
- GGood
- $259.58
- FFair
- $173.05
- PPoor
- $86.53
9 copies listed on Discogs from $316.35.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- APRS 5947APRS 5947 3T A2AF BOBILAPRS 5947 3T A1D BobilAPRS 5947 3T A1E Bobil
- Runout — side B
- APRS 5948APRS 5948 3T A1AG RASPUTINAPRS 5948 3T A1D Rasputin
- Matrix / runout
- APRS 5947 3T A1B B BobilAPRS 5948 3T A1A Rasputin
- Record Company
- GEM (6)
- Mixed At
- Trident Studios
- Printed By
- Robert Stace
- Pressed By
- RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK
Specifications
- Artist
- David Bowie
- Genre
- Rock
- Style
- Glam, Pop Rock, Art Rock
- Year
- 1971
- Label
- RCA Victor
- Catalog number
- SF 8244
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Changes3:33
- A2Oh! You Pretty Things3:12
- A3Eight Line Poem2:53
- A4Life On Mars?3:48
- A5Kooks2:49
- A6Quicksand5:03
- B1Fill Your Heart3:07
- B2Andy Warhol3:53
- B3Song For Bob Dylan4:12
- B4Queen Bitch3:13
- B5The Bewlay Brothers5:21
- Producer
- Ken Scott
- Producer [Assisted By]
- The Actor
- Mixed By [Remixed By]
- Ken Scott
- Arranged By
- Mick Ronson
- Written-By
- Biff Rose
- Written-By
- David Bowie
About this record
Demand outpaces supply on this 1971 UK pressing: 7071 collectors want it against 5895 who own one. Stamped at the RCA Records Pressing Plant in Washington, UK, with matrix runouts APRS 5947 and APRS 5948, this first pressing carries the laminated front cover and spine that distinguish it from all later reissues—and the rich green tinge of the cover image will not appear on any repress.
The price spread from Mint down to Poor reflects both rarity and the condition-dependent nature of original UK stock.
What drives its value
This 1971 UK original commands a steep price ladder. A Mint copy fetches 1643.98 USD, while NM drops to 1470.93 USD; the VG+ grade sits at 1124.83 USD, and a VG copy trades at 778.73 USD.
The lowest asking price across nine copies currently for sale is 316.35 USD, indicating that worn stock exists but remains scarce. The gap between VG+ and VG is significant—a sign that even minor wear erodes value sharply on originals.
Compared to the 1990 Rykodisc reissue (RCD 10133) or the 2016 Parlophone remaster (0825646289448), the 1971 RCA Victor pressing (SF 8244 / LSP 4623) commands a premium because it is the first issue, pressed in the UK, and carries the laminated cover and sepia-print liner unique to that run. Community demand (7071 want vs. 5895 have) underscores the scarcity of high-grade copies.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number SF 8244 (UK) or LSP 4623 (US catalogue reference) on the label. The dead-wax matrix runouts are APRS 5947 (side A) and APRS 5948 (side B); later pressings will show different codes.
The pressing plant stamp—RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK—appears in the runout and distinguishes this from US-pressed copies. The cover is the primary identifier: the first pressing has a laminated front cover and spine with an un-laminated back, and the front image carries a distinctive rich green tint absent from all represses.
The inner sleeve is rice-paper with blue text, Patent No., and "Made In England" printed on it. The liner notes are sepia-print and include lyrics.
Grade by examining the laminate for lifting or separation, the vinyl surface for hairline scratches (common on 1971 stock), and the cover for edge wear and foxing. The absence of a barcode confirms the original issue.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Original UK issue, 1st pressing with laminated front cover & spine, un-laminated back. Cover has a colour variation differing from represses. in which this release is green in tinge. A repress will not have this rich green colour to the front image.
Sepia-print liner with lyrics. Rice-paper inner sleeve has blue text with Patent No. and "Made In England". (All later issues of this have print-finish cover)
All titles published by Chrysalis Music Ltd./Titanic Music ℗ 1971 Printed in England by Robert Stace.
A Gem Production
RCA Limited, Record Division RCA House, Curzon Street, London W1. ℗ ©1971 RCA LIMITED
When preparing the UK edition cover art from the US supplied artwork () RCA mistakenly removed the GEM logo from the rear sleeve. Close examination of the cover shows it has been artworked out. It was subsequently restored on the next UK edition, though in slightly different position. ()
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between the UK and US versions of this pressing?
Both were pressed in 1971 by RCA Victor, but the UK issue (SF 8244) was manufactured at the RCA Records Pressing Plant in Washington, UK, and carries the laminated front cover with the distinctive green-tinted image and sepia-print liner. The US version (LSP 4623) has different cover treatment and packaging. The matrix runouts (APRS 5947 / APRS 5948) identify the UK pressing specifically.
How much is a VG+ copy worth?
A VG+ copy is estimated at 1124.83 USD according to the price guide. This represents the point where surface noise becomes noticeable but the record remains playable without skips or severe distortion. The jump from VG+ (1124.83 USD) to VG (778.73 USD) shows that even one grade drop costs significant value on originals.
What makes the cover of the 1971 pressing unique?
The original 1971 UK pressing has a laminated front cover and spine (the back is un-laminated) with a rich green colour tint in the front image that does not appear on any repress. RCA mistakenly removed the GEM logo from the rear sleeve during artworking; close inspection reveals it has been removed. This logo was restored on the next UK edition but in a slightly different position. All later issues have a print-finish cover without the lamination or the green tint.
What is the lowest price I might find this record at?
The lowest asking price across nine copies currently for sale is 316.35 USD. However, this is an outlier; most copies in the market reflect the condition-based price guide. A copy in Poor condition is estimated at 86.53 USD, and Fair at 173.05 USD, but original 1971 UK stock in such condition is uncommon.
Why is demand so high for this pressing?
Community data shows 7071 collectors want this record against 5895 who own one. The 1971 UK original is the first pressing and carries unique packaging (laminated cover, sepia-print liner, rice-paper inner sleeve with blue text) that later reissues do not replicate. Reissues by Rykodisc (1990) and Parlophone (2016) are more affordable but lack the original's aesthetic and collectibility. The original's scarcity in high grades drives both demand and price.