Vinyl pressings
by Bing Crosby · 1963
Do You Hear What I Hear? was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. 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 1963, the album's first year, in 7 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.
45-50738-F5 #2 IAM [in a triangle]Side A - stamped (Variant 1)
45-50737-F3 IAM [in a triangle]Side B - stamped (Variant 1)
45-50738-G6 IAM [in a triangle]Side A - stamped (Variant 2)
45-50737-F5 IAM [in a triangle]Side B - stamped (Variant 2)
F 50738 45Side A Label
F 50737 45Side B Label
45.50738 7XCAP1094Side A runout
45.50737 7XCAP1095Side B runout
45-50738Side A label
7XCAP1094Side A label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-1549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Capitol Records 5088First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Germany | Capitol Records K 22 610First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Italy | Capitol Records F 5088First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Capitol Records F.5088First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15326First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | UK | Capitol Records HFC 1018First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15326First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records 5088First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Capitol Records 5088First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records 50887", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 50887", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Capitol Records X-62767", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Do You Hear What I Hear? are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records 5088, released November 25, 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5088, HFC 1018, CL 15326, CP-1549) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-50738-F5 #2 IAM [in a triangle] and 45-50737-F3 IAM [in a triangle]. 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.
