Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1968
Congratulations was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
54 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 26 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.
7XCA 26834-1Side A runout, stamped variant 1
7XCA 26832-1Side B runout, stamped variant 1
7XCA 26834-1 GH KT 4Side A runout, stamped variant 2
7XCA 26832-1 GG KT 3Side B runout, stamped variant 2
7XCA 26834-1Stamped side A, variant 1
7XCA 26832-1Stamped side B, variant 1
7XCA 26834-1 AT KTJT 3Stamped side A, variant 2
7XCA 26832-1 AH KTJT 5Stamped side B, variant 2
7XCA 26834-1 HL KTJT 4A side runout, stamped
7XCA 26832-1 G0D KTJT 4B side runout, stamped
7XCA 26834A side label
7XCA 26832B side label
7XCA 26834-1Side A runout
7XCA 26832-1Side B runout
7XCA 26834Side A label
7XCA 26832Side B label
143-T3Etched (A)
144-T3Etched (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Parlophone P 1007First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Columbia DO-8312First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Columbia DO-8312First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Columbia DB 8376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Belgium | Columbia DB 8376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Capitol Records 72534First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Chile | Odeon MSOD 8276First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8376First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8376First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Denmark | Columbia DB 8376First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Finland | Columbia DB 8376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Finland | Columbia DB 8376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Columbia CF 143First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Columbia CF 143First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Columbia CF 143First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | UK | Columbia DB 83767", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Columbia DB 83767", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1982 | UK | Columbia DB 83767", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Columbia SCRL 147", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | Lebanon | Columbia SCRL 147", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Pakistan | Columbia 7KCF 757", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Columbia DB 83767", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
63 vinyl pressings of Congratulations are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1968 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in UK, US, Netherlands, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is Columbia DB 8376.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 8376, 55069, SCO 8176, P 1007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7XCA 26834-1 and 7XCA 26832-1. 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.
