Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1993
Duets was first pressed on vinyl in 1993. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1993, the album's first year, in 8 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.
518478 A1 518690 A1 DFI 93 10Side A runout stamped
518478 B 518690 B1 DFI 93 10Side B runout stamped
518478 C 518691 A1 DFI 93 10Side C runout stamped
518478 D 518691 B1 DFI 93 10Side D runout stamped
580 619 - 1 - A-D
DFI 93 10 518690 A1 518478 A1Record 1 SIDE 1
DFI 93 10 518690 B1 518478 BRecord 1 SIDE 2
DFI 93 10 518691 A1 518478 CRecord 2 SIDE 3
ROC 518690 A 3879Runout, Record 1,side1
ROC 518690 B 3879Runout, Record 1,side2
ROC 518691 C 3880Runout, Record2, side3
ROC 518691 D 3880Runout, Record2, side4
EUR 518690 1 A 1Side 1 runout, stamped
EUR 518690 1 B 1Side 2 runout, stamped
EUR 518691 1 A 1Side 3 runout, stamped
EUR 518691 1 A 1Side 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Greece | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Greece | Polygram 518 478-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1993 | Spain | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | UK | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1993 | Venezuela | Rodven SR-210306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Venezuela | PolyGram 210306First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | Zimbabwe | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1993 | South Korea | The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1 / Sung Eum Limited RP 3427First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1994 | Colombia | Philips 518476-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Duets are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1993 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1993, in UK, South Korea, Brazil, Germany and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company 518 478-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 518 478-1, SR-210306, 210306, 518 478-2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 518478 A1 518690 A1 DFI 93 10 and 518478 B 518690 B1 DFI 93 10. 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.
