Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Pate · 1973
Shaft In Africa 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.
21 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 13 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.
P ABCX - 793 - A ⑦ V̇Side A runout, variant 1
P ABCX - 793 - B ⑦ V̇Side B runout, variant 1
P ABCX - 793 - A ⑧ V̇Side A runout, variant 2
P ABCX - 793 - B ⑦ V̇Side B runout, variant 2
ABCX-793-A ⑩Side 1 Runout (Etched)
ABCX-793-B ⑩Side 2 Runout (Etched)
ABCX 793-AA-Side Label
ABCX 793-BB-Side Label
ABCX-793-A 2 VRunout A etched variant 1
ABCX-793-B 2 V A1Runout B etched variant 1
S 2 ABCX-793-A ① V A2Runout A etched variant 2
S 1 ABCX-793-B ① V B1Runout B etched variant 2
T1 ABCX-793-A (5) VSide A runout
T1 ABCX-793-B (4) VSide B runout
T1 ABCX-793-B (6) VPressing variation; Runout etching, both sides
T1 ABCX-793-A ⑨ VRunout side A, variant 1
T1 ABCX-793-B ⑨ VRunout side B, variant 1
T1 ABCX-793-A ④ V 2 DRunout side A, etched ("D" stamped), variant 2
T1 ABCX-793-B ⑥ V C 4Runout side B, etched ("C" stamped), 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 | Barbados | ABC Records ABCX-793First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Brazil | Probe SPOL-15.048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Ecuador | Probe Lp-7111-AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Probe 1C 062 - 94 644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | India | Probe ABCX-793First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | Probe BAN 16387First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Probe 3C 062-94644 / Probe 3C 062 - 94644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Probe IPP-80871First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Probe IPP - 80871First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062-94644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Spain | Probe 1J 062-94.644First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Probe SPB 1077 / Probe 0C 062 ◦ 94644First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABCX-793First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABCX-793First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | ABC Records ABCX-793First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | US | ABC Records ABCX-793LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Probe 1 C 062-94 644LP, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Germany | Probe 1C 062 - 94 644LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Shaft In Africa are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 2006.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCX-793.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCX-793, SPB 1077, SPOL-15.048, Lp-7111-A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P ABCX - 793 - A ⑦ V̇ and P ABCX - 793 - B ⑦ V̇. 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.
