Vinyl pressings
by Mike Trounce · 1971
Jesus Christ Superstar 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.
11 pressings came out in 1971, 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.
SHM 731 A2 10 DRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
SHM 731 B1 10 ERunout side B, stamped, variant 1
SHM 731 A1 SRA-17-A1 3 1 DRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
SHM 731 B2 1 1 ORunout side B, stamped, variant 2
SHM 731 A1 7 ∴Side 1 runout stamp
SHM 731 B1 3Side 2 runout stamp
SHM 731 A1 SRA-17-A1Side A
SHM 731 B1 SRA-17-B1Side B
MX167043Label Side A
MX167044Label Side B
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 | Summit SRA17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | Australia | Summit SRA295.013First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Canada | Hallmark Records SHM 731First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | France | Musidisc 30 CV 1218First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Mexico | Diana LPD 206First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Music For Leisure 157First yearLP | LP |
| 1971 | Spain | Hallmark Records 85.030-VFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1971 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 731First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK | Summit SRA 17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1971 | UK & US | Hallmark Records SHM 731First yearLP | LP |
| 1972 | Argentina | Producciones Fermata SLF-224 / Hallmark Records SLF-224LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3262LP | LP |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Hallmark Records SH M731 / Hallmark Records SHM 731LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Pickwick/33 Records SPC-3262LP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Israel | Hallmark Records TT 5079 (SHM 731)LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Sears SPS-614LP | LP |
21 vinyl pressings of Jesus Christ Superstar are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1971 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Hallmark Records SHM 731.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHM 731, SRA 17, SRA17, SRA295.013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHM 731 A2 10 D and SHM 731 B1 10 E. 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.
