Vinyl pressings
by André Kostelanetz · 1965
Wishing You A Merry Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 4 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.
o X XSM110657-1B I S o 3 CSide A Runout - Stamped, exc. first X and final S etched
o X XSM110658-1A I S 3 DSide B Runout - Stamped, exc.first X and final S etched
XLP110655-1CSide 1 Runout
XLP110656-1DSide 2 Runout
0 XXLP110655-1ARunout Side 1
0 XLP110656-1DRunout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Argentina | Columbia Masterworks 4434First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 6179First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | Costa Rica | CBS MS-6779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 6179First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 6179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | US | Columbia Special Products C 10975LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Columbia Special Products P 13344LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS BR 235161 / CBS BR-235161LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Australia | CBS SBR 235161 / CBS SBR-235161LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6779LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Uruguay | Columbia Masterworks 4434LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
12 vinyl pressings of Wishing You A Merry Christmas are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1965 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 6779.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 6779, ML 6179, 4434, MS-6779) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o X XSM110657-1B I S o 3 C and o X XSM110658-1A I S 3 D. 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.
