Vinyl pressings
by Benny Bell · 1975
Shaving Cream was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
VRS V̶ ̶R̶D̶35183A-1ARun-out Side A, stamped (VRS etched)
VRS V̶ ̶R̶D̶35183B-1A ᴘRun-out Side B, stamped (VRS etched)
VRS-35183-ALabel Side A
VRS-35183-BLabel Side A
V R S 35183 A-1F T1Side A runout
V R S 35183B-1F T 11Side B runout
VRS-35183-ASide A label
VRS-35183-BSide B label
VRS35183-1DSide A stamped
V R S 35183B-1ESide B stamped
VRS-35183-AA-side label
VRS-35183-BB-side label
VRS-35183-AA-side Label Matrix
VRS-35183-BB-side Label Matrix
VRS V RD35183B 1AA-side label
VRS VRD35183A 1BB-side label
VRS 35183-AA-side label
VRS 35183-AB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Astor A 7250First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Vanguard VS 5001First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VRS 35183First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1975 | UK | Vanguard VS 5001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Vanguard VS 5001First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Shaving Cream are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Vanguard VRS 35183, released February 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VRS 35183, VS 5001, A 7250) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VRS V̶ ̶R̶D̶35183A-1A and VRS V̶ ̶R̶D̶35183B-1A ᴘ. 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.
