Vinyl pressings
by Lone Justice · 1986
Shelter was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
020570-A-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-26082-SH1 △15004 1-1 PrecisionSide A runout
020570-B-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-26088-SH1 △15004-X 1-1 PrecisionSide B runout
7-28520-A-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-16754-SH1 Precision △14591 1-1A-side runout
7-28520-B-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-16755-SH1 Precision △14591-X 1-1B-side runout
7-28520-ASide A label
7-28520-BSide B label
[SRC logo] 7-28520-A-SR2 1-1 PrecisionA-side runout
[SRC logo] 7-28520-B-SR1 1-1 PrecisionB-side runout
7-28520-ASide A label
7-28520-BSide B label
PRO-A1- 2596-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25652 -SH1 △14590 1-1 PrecisionSide A runout
PRO-A2- 2596-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-25653 -SH1 △14590-X 1-1 PrecisionSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Geffen Records 7-28520First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85207First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85207First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 928 529-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 920 570-0 / Geffen Records GEF16TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Geffen Records 928 529-7 (N) / Geffen Records 928 529-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1986 | Italy | Geffen Records 92 8520-7First year7", 45 RPM, Mispress, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Mispress, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Geffen Records 928529-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | Geffen Records 928529-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | UK | Geffen Records GEF16T / Geffen Records GEF 16 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 16 / Geffen Records 928529-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 0-20570First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records PRO-A-2596First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 7-28520 / Geffen Records 9 28520-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 7-28520First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Geffen Records 7-285207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Shelter are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Geffen Records 0-20570.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-20570, 7-28520, PRO-A-2596, PRO-A-2624) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 020570-A-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-26082-SH1 △15004 1-1 Precision and 020570-B-SH1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-26088-SH1 △15004-X 1-1 Precision. 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.
