Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1990
The Very Best Of Elton John was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 18 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.
846 948 1 S1=1 670 06 1293Runout A - Variant #1
846 948 1 S2=1 670 06 1287Runout B - Variant #1
846 949 1 S1=1 670 06 1386Runout C - Variant #1
846 949 1 S2=1 670 06 1388Runout D - Variant #1
846 948 1 S1=1 670 06 12 14Runout side A variant 1
846 948 1 S2=1 670 06 119Runout side B variant 1
846 949 1 S1=1 670 06 12 2Runout side C variant 1
846 949 1 S2=1 670 06 1215Runout side D variant 1
846 948 1 S1 = 1 670 06 1185Side 1
846 948 1 S2 = 1 670 06 1264Side 2
846 949 1 S1 = 1 670 06 1345Side 3
846 949 1 S2 = 1 670 06 1446Side 4
8469481 A-2 U-1-7 DSide A, stamped. Var. 1
8469481 B-2U-1-1 DSide B, stamped. Var. 1
8469481 A-4U-1`-1Side C, stamped. Var. 1
8469481 B-1U-1-1- DSide D, stamped. Var. 1
8469481 A- 2 U-1-3 DSide A runout, stamped
8469481 B-1U-1- 2 TOWN HOUSE DMM DSide B runout, stamped [TOWN HOUSE DMM - etched]
8469491 A-4U-1-1Side C runout, stamped
8469491 B-1U-1- 2 DSide D runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 11 1641-1 312 / Supraphon 11 1641-1 312First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Greece | The Rocket Record Company 846947-1 / Phonogram 846947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Greece | PolyGram 846947-1 / Phonogram 846947-1LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Hungary | Hungaroton SLPXL 37508-09 / Gong SLPXL 37508-09First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1 / Phonogram 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Mexico | The Rocket Record Company LPE 1009 A2 / The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1First yearLP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 848 030-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Poland | Polskie Nagrania Muza SX 3021 SX 3022First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 0600753511329LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of The Very Best Of Elton John are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1990 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in Europe, UK, Zimbabwe, Australasia and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company 846 947-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 846 947-1, DARL 3017, 11 1641-1 312, 846947-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 846 948 1 S1=1 670 06 1293 and 846 948 1 S2=1 670 06 1287. 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.
