Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1977
The Light Shines On was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SHSM 2015 A - 2 NICK WRunout, A-side, variant 1
SHSM 2015 B - 1 NICK WRunout, B-side, variant 1
SHSM 2015 A - 1 A NICK CUTRunout, A-side, variant 2
SHSM 2015 B - 1 NICK WRunout, B-side, variant 2
SHSM 2015 A-1 A NICK CUTStamped matrix and etched name, side 1
SHSM 2015 B-1 NICK WStamped matrix and etched name, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | EMI 6020First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Brazil | Harvest SHVL 1047First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Germany | Harvest 1C054-06 292First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Harvest 1C054-06 292LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Israel | Portrait SHSM 2015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Japan | EMI EMS-80847First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Harvest SHSM 2015First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Peru | EMI ELD 02.21.495First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | Harvest 10 C 062-06292First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Sweden | Harvest 7C 054-06292 / Harvest 7 C 054-06292First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Harvest SHSM 2015First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Harvest SHSM 2015 / Harvest OC 054-06 292First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | EMI EMS-80847First yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Harvest 3C 054-062 92LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-50105LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Harvest SHSM 2015 / Harvest OC 054-06 292LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Harvest SHSM 2015 / Harvest OC 054-06 292LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Harvest SHSM 2015LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Light Shines On are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1977 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Brazil, Germany, Israel and more. One of them is Harvest SHSM 2015, released April 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSM 2015, SHVL 1047, 1C054-06 292, EMS-80847) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSM 2015 A - 2 NICK W and SHSM 2015 B - 1 NICK W. 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.
