Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1983
Cold As Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 4 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.
EJS 312 A//2▽420 C 11 1(stamped) timtom-cbs (etched)A side matrix
EJS 312 B//2▽420 C 11 1(stamped)A side matrix
EJS 312-AA side label
EJS 312-AAB side label
EJS 3 A//1▽420 C 1 1Runout side A
EJS 3 B//1▽420 C 1 1 TYRunout side AA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company EJS3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | The Rocket Record Company 814 862-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS 33First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS3First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS 3 / The Rocket Record Company 814 862-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company EJS 3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 814 862-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS 312 / The Rocket Record Company 814 862-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | The Rocket Record Company EJS 3 / The Rocket Record Company 814 862-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | The Rocket Record Company TOS 14867", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Cold As Christmas are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand. One of them is The Rocket Record Company EJS 312, released December 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EJS 312, EJS 3, EJS 33, EJS3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJS 312 A//2▽420 C 11 1(stamped) timtom-cbs (etched) and EJS 312 B//2▽420 C 11 1(stamped). 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.
