UK
June 1985- Label and catalog number
- The Rocket Record Company EJSR 812
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
EJSR 812 A//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TIM TOMSide A runout
EJSR 812 B//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TYSide B runout

Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1985
Act Of War was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
42 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 16 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.
EJSR 812 A//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TIM TOMSide A runout
EJSR 812 B//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TYSide B runout
12 EJS-812 A ☆MT☆5Runout side A (Etched)
EJS-812 B ☆MT☆5Runout side B (Etched)
EJS 8 A//2∇420 HSide A runout
EJS 8 B//1∇420 HSide B runout
EJS 8 A//1 420 HRunout stamped side A
EJS 8 B//2 420 HRunout stamped side B
EJS 8 A // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 1 6A side runout, stamped
EJS 8 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1B side runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7 / Phonogram 880 882-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 03470First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 89567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 89567First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 880 882-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
43 vinyl pressings of Act Of War are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company EJSR 812, released June 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EJSR 812, EJS 8, EJS 812, EJSR8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJSR 812 A//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TIM TOM and EJSR 812 B//1▽420 C 1 1 1 TY. 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.