Vinyl pressings
by Bee Gees · 1979
Tragedy was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
82 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 34 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.
RS-918-COMM-AS-SM1 S1 [STERLING]Side A, scribed [stamped]
RS-918-BS-CS1 SSS [STERLING]Side B, scribed [stamped]
RS 918 ASSide A, label
RS 918 BSSide B, label
RS-918-COMM-AS-PRC-R-1-1-1 [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped] (Variant 1
RS-918-BS-PRC-R-1 [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped] (Variant 1
RS-918-COMM-AS-PRC-R-2-1-1 [STERLING]Runout side A, etched [stamped] (Variant 2
RS-918-REV-1-BS-PRC-R-4-1-1 [STERLING]Runout side B, etched [stamped] (Variant 2
R3-918-00111111-AS-BW3 STERLINGSide A, runout, etched, STERLING stamped variant 1
RS-918-REV-1-B3-BW4 STERLINGSide B, runout, etched, STERLING stamped variant 1
RS-918-comm-AS- STERLINGSide A, runout, etched, STERLING stamped, variant 2
RS-918-REV-1-B2-BW7 STERLINGSide B, runout, etched, , STERLING stampedvariant 2
RS-918-COMM-AS-SKM 1 STERLINGEtched, side A
RS-918-REV-1-BS-SMK-4 STERLINGEtched, side B
RS 918 ASLabel A
RS 918 BSLabel B
RS-918-COMM-AS-MN 2 MR △105637 STERLINGSide A, scribed, STERLING stamped
RS-918-BS-MN-2 MR △105637-X STERLINGSide B, scribed, STERLING stamped
RS 918ASSide A, label
RS 918BSSide B, label
RS-918-COMM-AS-ALD-1 R-4189A side etched
RS-918-REV-1-Bs-ALD-6 R-4212B side etched
RS 918 ASA side label
RS 918 BSB side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | RSO 2141 061First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | RSO BG 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Austria | RSO 2141 061First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2141 061First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2090 340First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RSO 2141 061First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Bolivia | RSO RSB-03.1604First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | RSO 2090 340First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | RSO RS 918First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label12" | 12" |
| ? | France | RSO 2090 3407", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | RSO RS 918 / RSO 2090 3407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
88 vinyl pressings of Tragedy are listed here, from 34 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Austria, Argentina and more. One of them is RSO RS 918.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS 918, RS-918, RSO 27, 2090 340) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-918-COMM-AS-SM1 S1 [STERLING] and RS-918-BS-CS1 SSS [STERLING]. 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.
