Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1973
Step Into Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. 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 1973, the album's first year, in 17 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.
DJS 290 A-1 "CUT BY THE 'dB' KID"Hand etched in run-out area A-side
DJS 290 B1Hand etched in run-out area B-side
DJS.290ALabel A-side
DJS.290BLabel B-side
DJS 290 A-1 I CUT BY THE dB KID SRun-out area side A, etched
DJS 290 B1 I ZRun-out area side B, etched
DJS.290ALabel A-side
DJS.290BLabel B-side
DJS 290 A-1 CUT BY THE dB KIDHand etched in run-out area A-side
DJS 290 B1Hand etched in run-out area B-side
DJS.290ALabel A-side
DJS.290BLabel B-side
DJS 290 A-1Hand etched in run-out area A-side
DJS 290 B1Hand etched in run-out area B-side
DJS.290ALabel A-side
DJS.290BLabel B-side
MC 2419-W5 ◈-P-◈Run-out Side A, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped)
MC 2420-W6-1 ◈-P-◈Run-out Side B, etched (◈-P-◈ stamped)
MC2419Label Side A
MC2420Label Side B
MC 2419 - W4 ⧈-G-⧈A side runout etched - variant 1
MC 2420 - W3 ⧈-G-⧈B side runout etched - variant 1
MC 2419 - W3 ⧈-G-⧈A side runout etched - variant 2
MC 2420 - W4 ⧈-G-⧈B side runout etched - variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | DJM Records K-5750First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 65018First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | DJM Records 13 115 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | India | His Master's Voice POPV.8101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Ireland | DJM Records DJS290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | DJM Records IFR-10481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | DJM Records 6102 326First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | New Zealand | DJM Records K 5750First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Norway | DJM Records DJS.290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61089First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1973 | Portugal | DJM Records DJS 290 FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | DJM Records DJS290First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | South Africa | DJM Records DJS 339First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Spain | DJM Records 1 J 006-95.084First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Sweden | DJM Records DJS.290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-650187", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-650187", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US | Collectables COL-49237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1992 | US | Collectables COL-49237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Rocket Entertainment 3579612 / EMI 35796127", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | UK | Rocket Entertainment 4864860 / EMI 486486012", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | USA & Europe | Rocket Entertainment 3579607 / EMI 357960710", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Unknown | Not On Label12", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2023 | UK | Rocket Entertainment 00602458337655 / EMI 0060245833765512", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 2023 | UK | DJM Records 3579612 / EMI 06024586681797", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | DJM Records 7867606 / EMI 78676067", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
40 vinyl pressings of Step Into Christmas are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1973 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is DJM Records DJS.290.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DJS.290, MCA-65018, MCA 65018, K-5750) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DJS 290 A-1 "CUT BY THE 'dB' KID" and DJS 290 B1. 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.
