Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1981
The Fox was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 27 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.
TRAIN 16 A//1 ∇ E C1 11 6 TYRunout side A stamped [TY etched], variant 1
TRAIN 16 B//1 ∇ E TH 11 4Runout side B stamped, variant 1
TRAIN 16 A // 1 ∇ E C 1 11 6 TYRunout side A stamped [TY etched], variant 2
TRAIN 16 B // 2 ∇ E C 1 1 6 TY-CBSRunout side B stamped [TY-CBS etched], variant 2
GHS-1-2002 SP-1 E-1 (EDP) M1 SF 1 SM1 TYSide A Runout Variant 1
GHS • 2 • 2002 SP • 1 E1 (EDP) M2 TYSide B Runout Variant 1
GHS-1-2002 SP-1 E-1 (EDP) M1Side A Runout Variant 2
GHS•2•2002 SP•1 E1 (EDP) M2\SF\SM1Side B Runout Variant 2
GHS-1-2002 SP-1 E-1 (EDP) SF 01 SM1-2 M1/SF1 SM2Runout side A, variant 1
GHS • 2 • 2002 SP - 1 E1 (EDP) SP 0 / SM 3-2 EDP M2/SF 15 M2Runout side B, variant 1
GHS-1-2002 SP-1 E-1 (EDP) M1SF1SM1Runout side A, variant 2
GHS•2•2002 SP•| E1 (EDP)M2Runout side B, variant 2
GHS-1-2002 JW-2 E-4 [EDP logo] M1 SF 1 SM1 [Allied logo] B-15673+Runout side A, variant 1
GHS-2-2002- S1 + SLM + △655-X [Allied logo]Runout side B, variant 1
GHS1--2002-US-S7 + SLM + △655 [Allied logo]Runout side A, variant 2
GHS-2-2002- JW-1 E EDP M7 + SLM +++ △655-X [Allied logo] B-15674-E3Runout side B, variant 2
GHS-1-2002 JW-2 E-4 MR [EDP circled] M1 + SLM + △ 25094 [△655 lined out] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15673-E4Etched side A, except EDP in circle, indicating EDP logo,and [allied 'ɑ' logo] stamped
GHS-2-2002 JW2 E-4 [EDP circled] M1 + SLM :+ △655-X [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15674-E4Etched side B, except EDP in circle, indicating EDP logo, and [Allied 'ɑ' logo] stamped
#2 GHS-2002-1 WAI WM (W over M) 38661-A MO#4Side 1 etched,
Ty #4 GHS-2002-2 WAI WM (W over M) 38661-B MO#2Side 2 etched,
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106 / The Rocket Record Company 6008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 2002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 2002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 2002First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1981 | Colombia | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106 / The Rocket Record Company 6302 106 18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 6302 106First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | The Rocket Record Company 4803479LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Life Studio 54 480LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-3093LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 16LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
49 vinyl pressings of The Fox are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Australasia, Argentina and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company TRAIN 16.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRAIN 16, GHS 2002, 6302 106, XGHS 2002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TRAIN 16 A//1 ∇ E C1 11 6 TY and TRAIN 16 B//1 ∇ E TH 11 4. 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.
