Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1989
Sacrifice was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 10 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 20 A-2U-1-1 TY1Runout stamped side A, var. 1
EJS 20 B-1U-1-1 TY1Runout stamped side B, var. 1
EJS 20 A-1U-1-1 TY1Runout side A, variant 2
EJS 20 B-1U-1-1 TY1Runout side B, variant 2
EJS 2012 A-1U-1-1run-out groove A
EJS 2012 B-1J-1-1run-out groove B
MC 29605 ASR 2Runout, Side A, Etched
MC-29223-FDS-2Runout, Side B, Etched
[Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ▣-G-▣Runout, Side A, Stamped
▣-G-▣Runout, Side B, Stamped
MC 29605 ASR 1Runout, Side A, Etched
MC 29605 ASR 1Runout, Side B, Etched
[Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ▣-G-▣Runout, Side A, Stamped
[Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ▣-G-▣Runout, Side B, Stamped
876 330 -7AA Side Runout
876 330-7BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company 876 331-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 2801 375First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records 53750First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7 / Phonogram 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 331-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7 / Phonogram 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7 / Phonogram 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7 / Phonogram 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | France | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 875 808-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-7 / Phonogram 876 330-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 876 330-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Spain | The Rocket Record Company 873 330-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of Sacrifice are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company EJS 20.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EJS 20, EJS 20 12, MCA-53750, 876 330-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJS 20 A-2U-1-1 TY1 and EJS 20 B-1U-1-1 TY1. 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.
