Vinyl pressings
by Boney M. · 1981
Christmas Album was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 15 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.
020 204 300 A-4Runout side A, variant 1
020 204 300 B-3 IIRunout side B, variant 1
020 204 300 A-4Runout side A, variant 2
020 204 300 B-3 III Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
020 204 300 A-4Runout side A, variant 1
020 204 300 B-4 7̶7̶Runout side B, variant 1
020 204 300 A-4 II Made In GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
020 204 300 B-4 II LRunout side B, variant 2
22017 A
22017 B
PE·0327·A·2N3Runout side A
PE-0327·B·1N3Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XMS 5823First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XMS 5823First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XMS 5823First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic MS 5823First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic XMS 5823First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Carrere 67.837First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Music-Box 204300First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Music-Box 40156First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | India | Polydor 2311 125First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Durium DAI 30.389 / Durium Marche Estere D. AI 30-389First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Jamaica | Dynamic Sounds DY 3314First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Hansa International 204 300 / Hansa 204 300-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | Polydor 2311 125First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2311 125First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Ariola I-204 292First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Germany | Hansa 204 300LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Worldwide | Sony Music 88985409231LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Christmas Album are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1981 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, New Zealand, Spain and more. One of them is Hansa 204 300, released November 23, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 204 300, K50923, Z 20017, I-204 292) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 020 204 300 A-4 and 020 204 300 B-3 II. 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.
