Vinyl pressings
by Amy Grant · 1983
A Christmas Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MSB 6768 A1 SLM △5354 1-1 TML-MVariant 1, Side A runout
MSB 6768 B1 SLM △5354 1-1 TML-MVariant 1, Side B runout
MSB 6768 A1 SLM △5354 1- TML-MVariant 2, Side A runout
MSB 6768 B1 SLM △5354-X 1-1 TML-MVariant 2, Side B runout
SP05057-A C1 GSide 1 Runout
AMSP05057-B C2 GSide 2 Runout
SP 0 5057 A - RCA 2 TML-M I A1GRunout A
SP 0 5057 B - RCA 2 I A2 ERunout B
SP-05057-ALabel A
SP-05057-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | Myrrh 7-01-676806-6 / Myrrh MSB-6768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records L 38469First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Myrrh MSB-6768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Myrrh MSB-6768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Myrrh MYRR 1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Myrrh MYR 1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Myrrh MSB-6768First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Myrrh MSB 6768First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| 1983 | US | Myrrh SP-5057 / A&M Records SP-5057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-5057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Word 7-01-676806-6 / Word 7-01-676806-4LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Myrrh SP-5057 / A&M Records SP-5057LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5057LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5057LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5057 / Myrrh SP-5057LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
22 vinyl pressings of A Christmas Album are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Myrrh MSB-6768.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MSB-6768, SP-5057, MSB 6768, MYR 1155) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MSB 6768 A1 SLM △5354 1-1 TML-M and MSB 6768 B1 SLM △5354 1-1 TML-M. 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.
