Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1973
Showdown was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 19 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.
SHAR 5077 A-1 AM KT 1Runout A, variant 1
SHAR 5077 B-1 MM KT 1Runout B, variant 1
SHAR 5077 A-1 AD KTRunout A, variant 2
SHAR 5077 B-1 PR KT 2Runout B, variant 2
SHAR 5077 A-1 VM KT 1Runout A, stamped
SHAR 5077 B-1 MM KT 1Runout B, stamped
SHAR.5077ALabel A
SHAR.5077BLabel B
SHAR 5077 A-1 C KT 1A-Side, printed
SHAR 5077 B-1 R KT 1B-Side, printed
UA-13224 - K-6743Runout Side A
UAST-13224 - K-6742Runout Side B
UAST-13224-XScribed in runout A variant 1
UAST13255 U̶A̶S̶T̶-̶1̶1̶2̶8̶6̶-̶E̶ XScribed in runout B variant 1
UAST-13224-XScribed in runout A variant 2
UAST13255 U̶A̶S̶T̶-̶1̶1̶2̶8̶6̶-̶E̶Scribed in runout B variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Harvest HAR 10326First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | Harvest 4 C006-05458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | United Artists Records UAXW 337-WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Harvest 2C 006-05458 / Harvest 2C 006-05.458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Harvest 1 C 006-05 458 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-05 458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Harvest 05458 / EMI Electrola 054587", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Ireland | Harvest HAR 5077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | Harvest HAR 5077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Italy | Harvest 3C 006-05458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | Harvest EOR-10450 / Odeon EOR-10450First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Harvest EOR-10450 / Odeon EOR-10450First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-05 458 / Harvest 5C 006-05458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-05 458 / Harvest 5C 006-05458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-05458 / Harvest 5C 006-05 458First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 006-05 458 / Harvest 5C 006-05458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Stateside 8E 006-05 458 MF7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
41 vinyl pressings of Showdown are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1973 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Harvest HAR 5077, released October 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HAR 5077, UA-XW337-W, UA-XW337 W, HAR 10326) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHAR 5077 A-1 AM KT 1 and SHAR 5077 B-1 MM KT 1. 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.
