Vinyl pressings
by The Rolling Stones · 1971
Gimme Shelter 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.
40 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 18 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.
XZAL 10820.P-2WSide A runout variant 1
XZAL 10821.P-2WSide B runout variant 1
XZAL-10820P-1W U M 2 BSide A runout variant 2
XZAL-10821P-1W I K 2 BSide B runout variant 2
XZAL-10820.P-2WA side runout, stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10821.P-2WB side runout, stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10820P-1WA side runout, stamped, variant 2
XZAL-10821P-1WB side runout, stamped, variant 2
XZAL-10820P-1WA side stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10821P-1WB side stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10820.P-2WA side stamped, variant 2
XZAL-10821.P-2WB side stamped, variant 2
XZAL-10820.P-2WA side stamped
XZAL-10821.P- 3y EDB side stamped
XZAL 10820-P-1W CC11 1Runout stamped A side, variant 1
XZAL 10821-P-1W GB 1Runout stamped B side, variant 1
XZAL 10820-P-1W BBM 1Runout stamped A side, variant 2
XZAL 10821-P-1W GB 1Runout stamped B side, variant 2
XZAL-10820.P-1WRunout, side A, stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10821-P-1WRunout, side B, stamped, variant 1
XZAL-10820.P-1W I H 1Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
XZAL-10821-P-1W H H 23Runout, side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Australia | Decca SKL 5101 / Decca SKLA-5101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Australia | Decca SKL 5101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Australia | Decca SKL 5101 / Decca SKLA-5101First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Europe | Decca SKL 5101 / Decca SKL.5101First yearLP, Album, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | France | Decca 258.056LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1971 | Germany | Decca SLK 16731-PFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Germany | Decca SLK 16731-PLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1971 | Germany | Decca SLK 16731-PFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Germany | Decca SLK 16731-PFirst yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Greece | Decca SGLK 021First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Greece | Decca SGLK 021First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | India | Decca SKL 5101First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1971 | Italy | Decca SKLI-5101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Italy | Decca SKLI 5101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1971 | Italy | Decca SKL 5101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Greece | Decca DL 13.018LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Greece | Decca DL 13.018LP, Compilation, Reissue, White Label | LP, Compilation, Reissue, White Label |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Decca SKL 5101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Decca SKL 5101 / Decca 63 99 157LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L20P-1034LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L20P-1034LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | Japan | London Records L20P 1034LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1988 | Japan | London Records L18P 1820LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australasia | Decca SKL 5101 / Decca SKLA-5101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | Decca SKLA-5101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Belgium | Decca 278040LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Brazil | London Records 31C 064 61026LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Colombia | Decca SKL 5101LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | France | Decca 291.011LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | France | Decca 291.011LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.23086 AOLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | HÖR ZU 6.23086 AO / Nova 6.23086 AOLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.23086 AO / Nova 6.23086 AOLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.23086 / Decca 6.23086 AOLP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Decca SKLI 5101LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Decca SKLI 5101LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca 6835 120LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca SKL 5101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
98 vinyl pressings of Gimme Shelter are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1971 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in UK, France, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Decca SKL 5101, released August 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SKL 5101, SKL 5.101 B, SLK 16731-P, SGLK 021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XZAL 10820.P-2W and XZAL 10821.P-2W. 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.
