Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1984
Passengers was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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 512 A // 1 ∇ 420 C TimTom cbsA Side Runout, variant 1
EJS 512 B // 2 ∇ 420 C TYB Side Runout, variant 1
EJS 512 A // 2 ∇ 420 C 11 2 TimTom cbsA Side Runout, variant 2
EJS 512 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 11 2 TYB Side Runout, variant 2
EJS 5 A//2▽420 C TimTom.cbsSide A Runout, stamped / etched
EJS 5 B//2▽420 C TYSide B Runout, stamped / etched
EJS 5 A // 1∇420 C timtom : cbsRunout side A
EJS 5 B // 1∇420 C TYRunout side B
SMX 62195 880 198-7A P2A 3Side A runout hand-etched
SMX 62196 880 198-7B P2A 3Side B runout hand-etched
MX-62195Side A label
MX-62196Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 00 00069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 880 198-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Bolivia | The Rocket Record Company RRBS-32-8First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 880 167-7 / The Rocket Record Company 880 167-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 880 167-1 QFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company EJS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company EJS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company EJS 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 880 167-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 880 167-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Phonogram 880 167-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Casablanca 880 167-7 / The Rocket Record Company 880 167-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | The Rocket Record Company 880 198-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Peru | The Rocket Record Company F-ROC 88011677.5First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Peru | The Rocket Record Company F-ROC 88011677.5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | The Rocket Record Company S/N-4767", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Passengers are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, Bolivia, Germany and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company EJS 512.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EJS 512, EJS 5, 880 198-7, RRBS-32-8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJS 512 A // 1 ∇ 420 C TimTom cbs and EJS 512 B // 2 ∇ 420 C 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.
