Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1972
Honky Cat / Slave was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 9 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.
AA 6102 315 1W 1 (P) 1972 670 1 03side A runout stamped
AA 6102 315 2W 1 (P) 1972 670 1 03side B runout stamped
6102 315.1side A label
6102 315.2side B label
.1097-S W6Var. 1: Side A runout
.1103-S (W-4)Var. 1: Side B runout
.1097-S W4Var. 2: Side A runout
.1103-S (W-5) 2Var. 2: Side B runout
.1097-S W5 2Side A Etched - variant 1
.1103-5 (W-4) 2IISide B Etched - variant 1
.1097-S W6 2Side A Etched - variant 2
.1103-5 (W-5) 2Side B Etched - variant 2
1 .1097-S W2A runout etched (1 stamped)
1 .1103-S (W-2)B runout etched (1 stamped)
.1097SA label
.1103SB label
.1097-S W5 2Run-out side A, variant 1
.1103-S (W-4) 2Run-out side B, variant 1
.1097-S W4 2Run-out side A, variant 2
.1103-S (W-5) 2Run-out side B, variant 2
MX40925A Side Matrix
MX40926B Side Matrix
MX 40925 2AA Side Runout
MX 40926 2AB Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | DJM Records DJK-4834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Austria | DJM Records 12 306 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Canada | UNI Records UNI 55343First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | DJM Records DJM 17605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | DJM Records 12 306 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Mexico | Fermata DE-77-25First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Netherlands | DJM Records 6102 315First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | New Zealand | DJM Records DJK-4834First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | UNI Records 55343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | UNI Records 55343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | UNI Records 55343First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | UNI Records 55343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-610607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | MCA Records MCA-601667", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-610667", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-601667", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | UNI Records UNI 553437" | 7" |
| ? | Thailand | Not On Label (Elton John) 553437", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-601667", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
21 vinyl pressings of Honky Cat / Slave are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Netherlands, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is DJM Records 6102 315.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6102 315, 55343, DJK-4834, 12 306 AT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6102 315 1W 1 (P) 1972 670 1 03 and AA 6102 315 2W 1 (P) 1972 670 1 03. 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.
