Scandinavia
July 21, 1980- Label and catalog number
- Polar POS 1272
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
POS 1272 A P6 80 710 IHJRunout side A
POS 1272 B P6 80 710 IHJRunout side B

Vinyl pressings
by ABBA · 1980
The Winner Takes It All / Elaine was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
70 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 40 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.
POS 1272 A P6 80 710 IHJRunout side A
POS 1272 B P6 80 710 IHJRunout side B
POS 1272 A P6 80 710 IHJRunout stamped side A
POS 1272 B P6 80 710 IHJRunout stamped side B
POS 1272 A P6 80 710 IHJRunout stamped side A
POS 1272 B P6 80 710 IHJRunout stamped side B
EPC-S-8835.A2A-side Run-out, Hand-etched
TimtomA-side Run-out, Cut Engineer, Hand-etched
AA-side Run-out, Mother Number, Stamped
EPC-S.8835.B-3B-side Run-out, Hand-etched
C 3L 263 EPC 8835 A POLYGRAMRunout, side A, stamped
C 3L 263 EPC 8835 B POLYGRAMRunout, side B, stamped
EPC-S-8835.A2 Timtom ASide A runout
EPC-S.8835.B-3 TY BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | RCA SI-0020First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor 103645First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor 103645First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor 103645First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1980 | Bolivia | RCA RS - 2119First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.8194First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.8194First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic MS 5546First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic MS 5546First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Chile | RCA 31034 / RCA XB-01210First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Colombia | RCA 05(3011)52226First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ecuador | RCA Victor ECK-200998First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10975-First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10975-First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Finland | Polar POS 12727", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", White Label, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Polar 06025087786297", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Mixed, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Mixed, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Kenya | Polydor 2001 9817", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label (ABBA)Flexi-disc, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
81 vinyl pressings of The Winner Takes It All / Elaine are listed here, from 43 countries, released between 1980 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Scandinavia, UK, US, Austria and more. One of them is Polar POS 1272, released July 21, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POS 1272, S EPC 8835, S EPC 12 8835, 3776) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POS 1272 A P6 80 710 IHJ and POS 1272 B P6 80 710 IHJ. 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.