Vinyl pressings
by Carpenters · 1970
Merry Christmas, Darling was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CSG-2068A side label
CSG-2069B side label
p(stamped, inverted) A+M CSG-2068S-P1(etched)A side deadwax
p(stamped, inverted) A+M CSG-2069S-P1(etched)B side deadwax
A&M CSG-2068S-M4 [MR logo] △83240A side runout etched
A&M CSG-2069S-M4 [MR logo] △83240-XB side runout etched
(CSG-2068)SA side label
(CSG-2069)SB side label
CSG-2068A side label
CSG-2069B side label
A&M CSG-2068-M1 NR (in a circle) (a triangle) 83240, 3 {in a circle}A side deadwax
A&M CSG-2069-M6 NR (in a circle) ( a triangle) 86866-XB side deadwax
A+M CSG-2068S-M5 MR △86868A side runout, etched
A+M CSG-2069S-M6 MR △86868-XB side runout, etched
(CSG-2068)A side label
(CSG-2069)B side label
A+M CSG-2068-M4 △83240 MR (circled)Runout side A
A+M CSG-2069-M4 △83240-X MR (circled)Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | Canada | A&M Records AM-1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1970 | Guatemala | A&M Records 1236First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | New Zealand | A&M Records AMK 4409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70175First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records AM-1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records 1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records 1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records AM-1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records 1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records 1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Venezuela | A&M Records 45-13.237First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | US | A&M Records 1236-SFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 10027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records 1236-S7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | A&M Records 1236-S7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Merry Christmas, Darling are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1970 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, Canada, Guatemala, New Zealand and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-1236-S.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-1236-S, 1236-S, 1236, AMK 4409) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CSG-2068 and CSG-2069. 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.
