Vinyl pressings
by Isaac Hayes · 1971
Theme From Shaft 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.
50 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 21 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.
EM 00746 [MR logo] MHC △86352Side A runout
EM-00750 [MR logo] MHC △86959Side B runout
EM-00746Side A label
EM-00750Side B label
EM-00746 SON MHC S-2060Side A runout
EM-00750 SON MHC S-2061Side B runout
EM-00746Side A label
EM-0075Side B label
EM-00746-1 M HC 9.27.71Side A runout
EM-00750-2 M HC 9.27.71Side B runout
EM-00746 SPA-Side Label
EM-00750 SPB-Side Label
EM-00746 SON MHC S-2060Side A Etched
EM-00750 SON MHC S-2061Side B Etched
(EM-00746)A Side Label
(EM-00750)B Side Label
EM-00746 MHC ARPA side - runout
EM-00750 MHC ARPB side - runout
EM-00746A side - label
EM-00750B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Belgium | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Brazil | Stax 2025 069First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1971 | Canada | Enterprise ENA 9038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Chile | Stax 2025 069 / Enterprise ENA-9038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Chile | Stax 2025 069 / Enterprise ENA-9038First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | France | Stax 169.062 LFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1971 | France | Stax 169.0627", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1971 | France | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1971 | Germany | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1971 | Ireland | Stax 2025-069First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Italy | Stax 2025 069First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1971 | Italy | Stax 2025069First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK | Stax STAX 8107", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Angola | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Greece | Stax 2025 0697", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | India | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | India | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | India | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Enterprise ENA-90387", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | Stax DW 10527", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Stax 2025 0697", 45 RPM, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Repress |
75 vinyl pressings of Theme From Shaft are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1971 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Australia, Netherlands and more. One of them is Enterprise ENA-9038, released September 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENA-9038, 00746-PL, 2025-069, 2025 069) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EM 00746 [MR logo] MHC △86352 and EM-00750 [MR logo] MHC △86959. 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.
