Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1971
The Electric Light Orchestra was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 6 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-797 A//2 SHVL 797A-1USide A runout, variant 1
SHVL-797 B//2 SHVL 797B-1USide B runout, variant 1
SHVL 797A-1U ML 2 S̶H̶V̶L̶-̶7̶9̶7̶ ̶A̶/̶/̶2̶Side A runout, variant 2
SHVL 797B-1U OG 1 S̶H̶V̶L̶-̶7̶9̶7̶ ̶B̶/̶/̶2̶Side B runout, variant 2
SHVL 797A-1U SHVL-797 A//2 HU 2Side A variant 1
SHVL 797B-1U SHVL-797 B//2 RA 1Side B variant 1
SHVL 797A-1U R 1 S̶H̶V̶L̶-̶7̶9̶7̶ ̶A̶/̶/̶2̶Side A variant 2
SHVL 797B-1U A 1 S̶H̶V̶L̶-̶7̶9̶7̶ ̶B̶/̶/̶2̶Side B variant 2
92 970 A-1Side A runout
92 970 B-1Side B runout
SLVH 797 A-1U (upsite down and above) SLVH 797 A//2Side 1 Stamped
SLVH 797 B -1U (upsite down and above) SLVH 797 B//2Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Harvest SHVL 797First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Denmark | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 ◦ 92970First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Germany | Harvest 1C 062 - 92 970 / Harvest 1 C 062 - 92 970First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | Netherlands | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 ◦ 92970First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | South Africa | Harvest SHVLJ 797First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 ◦ 92970First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 ○ 92970First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS-5573 / United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | United Artists Records UAS-5573 / United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Harvest 3C 064 - 92970LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Harvest SHVL 797LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS-5573LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-1157LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | France | EMI 1052431 / Fame 1052431LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / EMI FA4130841LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Harvest VSHVL 797 / EMI 5099995588612LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | World Record Club R. 03028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Jet Records JT 6006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | World Record Club R-03028 / World Record Club R. 03028LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Jet Records PZ 35461LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Jet Records WPZ 35461LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Jet Records PZ 35461LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Sonopresse 69670LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Sweden | Harvest 7C 062-92970LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 4130841 / Fame FA 3084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064-92970LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 ○ 92970LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHVL 797 / Harvest 1E 064 o 92970LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 4130841 / Fame FA 3084LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS-5573LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UAS 5573LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
64 vinyl pressings of The Electric Light Orchestra are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1971 and 2012.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Australia, Denmark, Germany and more. One of them is Harvest SHVL 797, released December 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHVL 797, 1C 062 - 92 970, SHVLJ 797) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHVL-797 A//2 SHVL 797A-1U and SHVL-797 B//2 SHVL 797B-1U. 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.
