Compared to Bowie’s three previous albums, Hunky Dory started with strong sales, meaning that the initial pressings sold out very quickly. While the primary UK pressings all appear to look the same, there are some noticeable differences, both in appearance and price.
For the real completists in search of the Holy Grail pressing, a preview version of Hunky Dory, known as BOWPROMO, was released in October 1971. It features photos and ephemera promoting the album, while the vinyl was pressed with green GEM labels and has different matrix numbers to the commercial release. There have only been four known copies of this preview pressing to surface, with one selling as high as £8,000.