Canada
December 1943- Label and catalog number
- Decca 23281
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Vinyl pressings
Merry Christmas
by Bing Crosby · 1943
65 pressings6 countriesVocalHolidayPop
Merry Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1943. 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 Merry Christmas
2 pressings came out in 1943, 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.
Canada
December 1943- Label and catalog number
- Decca 23281
- Format
- Shellac, 10", 78 RPM
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 65 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1940s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Canada | Decca 23281First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1943 | Canada | Decca 23281First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1944 | US | Decca 23281Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Repress |
| 1945 | Canada | Decca A-403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1945 | US | Decca A-403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1945 | US | Decca A-403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1945 | US | Decca A-403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1945 | US | Decca A-403Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album |
| 1947 | Canada | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
| 1947 | US | Decca A-550 / Decca 550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue |
1950s27 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Canada | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1950 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1950 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1950 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1950 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1951 | Canada | Decca DL 5019 / Decca DECCA DL 5019LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| 1951 | Canada | Decca DL 5019 / Decca DECCA DL 5019LP, 10" | LP, 10" |
| 1951 | US | Decca DLP 5019 / Decca DL 5019LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| 1951 | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set |
| 1951 | US | Decca DL 5019 / Decca DLP 5019LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| 1951 | US | Decca DL 5019 / Decca DLP 5019LP, 10", Album, Reissue | LP, 10", Album, Reissue |
| 1951 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| 1952 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Box Set |
| 1952 | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Repress |
| 1952 | US | Decca A-5507", 45 RPM, Album, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Repress |
Year unknown18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | Canada | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Decca 9-232817", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LA 8686LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Brunswick LA 8686LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Reissue, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca DLP 5019 / Decca DL 5019LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca A-550Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Album, Reissue, Repress, Box Set |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album | 7", 45 RPM, Album |
| ? | US | Decca DLP 5019 / Decca DL 5019LP, 10", Album, Repress | LP, 10", Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Decca 9-657", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set | 7", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
Tracklist
- ASilent Night, Holy Night
- BAdeste Fideles = O, Come All Ye Faithful
- CWhite Christmas
- DLet's Start The New Year Right
- EI'll Be Home For Christmas
- FDanny Boy
- GFaith Of Our Fathers
- HGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
- IJingle Bells
- JSanta Claus Is Comin' To Town
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Merry Christmas are there?
65 vinyl pressings of Merry Christmas are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1943 and 1955.
When was Merry Christmas first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1943, in Canada. One of them is Decca 23281, released December 1943.
How do I tell if my copy of Merry Christmas is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 23281) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Merry Christmas 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.
