Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1989
Sleeping With The Past 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.
23 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 20 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.
838 839 1 S1=1 670 07 1287Runout side A, variant 1
838 839 1 S2=1 670 07 1262Runout side B, variant 1
838 839 1 S1=1 670 07 1228Runout side A, variant 2
838 839 1 S2=1 670 07 1226Runout side B, variant 2
8388391 A-4U-1-1 TY1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
8388391 B-8U-1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1, (2 printed on top of the 8)
8388319 A-4U-1-1 TY1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
8388391 B-7U-1-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
MCA 9040 ASR 7 [stamped: ◈-P-◈]Side 1 Etched
MCA 9041 ASR 3 [stamped: ◈-P-◈]Side 2 Etched
MCA 9040 ASR 7 [Artisan logo] [stamped: ◈-P-◈]side A runout variant (all etched except stamped pressing plant and Artisan logos)
MCA 9041 ASR 3 [Artisan logo] [stamped: ◈-P-◈]side B runout variant (all etched except stamped pressing plant and Artisan logos)
MCA 9040 ASRI [Artisan logo] ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout
MCA 9041 ASRl [Artisan logo] ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout
838839.1.A1 7.9.89 Mc (signature)Runout side A, variant 1
838839.1.B1 7.9.89 Mc (signature)Runout side B, variant 1
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 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1 / PolyGram 29202First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6321First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6321LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6321LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1989 | Colombia | Vertigo 838839-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Colombia | The Rocket Record Company 838839-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Phonogram 838 839-1 / The Rocket Record Company EJLP 4First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Polygram 838 839-1 / Phonogram 838 839-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37365First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1 / The Rocket Record Company LPE-15371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12670LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12670LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company L.P.-36009LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Mercury 5766937 / The Rocket Record Company 5766937LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
30 vinyl pressings of Sleeping With The Past are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1989 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, US, Portugal, South Africa and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company 838 839-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 838 839-1, MCA-6321, STARL5573, 838839-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 838 839 1 S1=1 670 07 1287 and 838 839 1 S2=1 670 07 1262. 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.
