Vinyl pressings
by Edith Evans · 1959
The First Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year, in 2 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.
7TEA 1354 - 1 NRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
7TEA 1355 - 1 NRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
7TEA 1354 - 1 N H ET 1 2Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
7TEA 1354 - 1 N GD ET 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
7TEA 1354 - 1 NRunout side A, stamped, variant 1
7TEA 1355 - 1 NRunout side B, stamped, variant 1
7TEA 1354Label side A
7TEA 1355Label side B
7XS-883-L/1Side 1 runout - stamped
7XS-884-L/1Side 2 runout - stamped
7XS.883Side 1 label
7XS.884Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | New Zealand | His Master's Voice 7EGM 119First year7", 45 RPM, EP | 7", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice 7EG 119 / HMV Junior Record Club 7EG 119First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered · Numbered, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered · Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | UK | His Master's Voice 7EG 119 / HMV Junior Record Club 7EG 119First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered · Numbered, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Numbered · Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 1959 | Australia | World Record Club JD 3 / Children's Record Guild Of Australia JD 37", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Australia | Children's Record Guild Of Australia JD-3 / World Record Club JD 37", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| 1969 | Australia | Children's Record Guild Of Australia 2337 / World Record Club 23377", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Reissue, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Children's Record Guild Of New Zealand ZCG 3 / World Record Club ZCG 37", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | New Zealand | Children's Record Guild Of New Zealand ZCG 3 / World Record Club ZCG 37", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| ? | UK | HMV Junior Records 7EG 1197", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | HMV Junior Records 7EG 1197", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, EP · Colored vinyl |
| ? | UK | HMV Junior Records 7EG 1197", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of The First Christmas are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1959 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in UK, New Zealand. One of them is His Master's Voice 7EG 119.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7EG 119, 7EGM 119) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7TEA 1354 - 1 N and 7TEA 1355 - 1 N. 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.
