Vinyl pressings
by Be Bop Deluxe · 1974
Axe Victim was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SHVL 813 A-2 A O 1 ∴Side A runout
SHVL 813 B-2 A T 3 ∴Side B runout
SHVL.813ASide A label in parentheses
SHVL.813BSide B label in parentheses
SHVL 813 A-4 HTMSide A runout, variant 1
SHVL 813 B-2Side B runout, variant 1
SHVL 813 A-4 GP 2 HTMSide A runout, variant 2
SHVL 813 B-2 M M ∴ 2Side B runout, variant 2
SHVL 813 A - 2 G 1.1 1 ∴Side A, variant 1
SHVL 813 B - 2 G H 1 ∴Side B, variant 1
SHVL 813 A - 4 R HTM 1Side A, variant 2
SHVL 813 B - 2 H V ∴ 3Side B, variant 2
SHVL 813 A-1 G ∴Runout Side A
SHVL 813 B-1 GRunout Side B
SHVL 813 A-2Side A Stamped
SHVL 813 B-2Side B Stamped
SHVL-813-A-Rside A, runout, stamped
SHVL-813-B-Rside B, runout, stamped
SHVL-813-AA label
SHVL-813-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Unknown | Harvest SHVL 813First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Harvest XHVL 1025First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMS-80030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMS-80030First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | Harvest SHVL 813 / Harvest 0C 064 ○ 05610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Harvest SHVL 813 / Harvest 0C 064 ▫ 05610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Harvest SHVL 813 / Harvest 0C 064 ○ 05610First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Harvest SHVL 813 / Harvest 0C 064 ○ 05610First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Harvest SM-11689LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Harvest SM-11689LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Harvest SM-11689LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Harvest SM-11689LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Harvest SM-11689LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 038-05610LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1978 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 038-05610LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UK | Esoteric Recordings PECLECLP2716LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EDP 1546793LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SN-16025LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Axe Victim are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1974 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Brazil, Japan. One of them is Harvest SHVL 813, released June 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHVL 813, XHVL 1025, EMS-80030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHVL 813 A-2 A O 1 ∴ and SHVL 813 B-2 A T 3 ∴. 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.
