US
November 24, 1951- Label and catalog number
- Decca 46386
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
- Runout / matrix
W81801T8ASide A runout
W81802T17ASide B runout
81801Side A label
81802*Side B label
Bill MonroeChristmas Time's A-Coming / The First Whippoorwill
Vinyl pressings
Christmas Time's A-Coming / The First Whippoorwill
by Bill Monroe · 1951
10 pressings1 countryBluegrassHolidayFolkWorld
Christmas Time's A-Coming was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Christmas Time's A-Coming
5 pressings came out in 1951, the album's first year. 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.
US
1951- Label and catalog number
- Decca 9-46386
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM · Los Angeles pressing
US
1951- Label and catalog number
- Decca 46386
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
US
1951- Label and catalog number
- Decca 46386
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo
- Runout / matrix
81801
81802
US
1951- Label and catalog number
- Decca 46386
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Promo
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 10 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | US | Decca 9-46386First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Decca 46386First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1951 | US | Decca 46386First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1951 | US | Decca 46386First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Decca 46386First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
1960s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | US | Decca 257597", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Decca 46386Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 463867", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Decca 257597", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | Decca 463867", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
Tracklist
- AChristmas Time's A-Coming2:45
- BThe First Whippoorwill2:50
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Christmas Time's A-Coming are there?
10 vinyl pressings of Christmas Time's A-Coming are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1951 and 1967.
When was Christmas Time's A-Coming first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US. One of them is Decca 46386, released November 24, 1951.
How do I tell if my copy of Christmas Time's A-Coming is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 46386, 9-46386) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W81801T8A and W81802T17A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Christmas Time's A-Coming on vinyl worth?
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.