Skip to content
VinylLens
Messiah by Georg Friedrich Händel, album cover

Vinyl pressings

Messiah

by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1959

34 pressings6 countriesBaroqueOratorioClassical

Messiah 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.

How to spot a first pressing of Messiah

8 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.

US

1959
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks M2S-607Columbia Masterworks M2S 607
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

XXSM47314-1BA • IRunout A, Stamped

XXSM47315-2BF IIRunout B, Stamped

XXSM47316-1BC IRunout C, Stamped

XXSM47317-1BH -Runout D, Stamped

Full details of this pressing

US

1959
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks M2S 607Columbia Masterworks M2L 263
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

XXLP47312-1JSide 1, Stamped

XXLP47311-1ASide 2, Stamped

XXLP47310-1AGSide 3, Stamped

XXLP47313-1BLSide 4, Stamped

Full details of this pressing

US

1959
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks M2L-263Columbia Masterworks ML 5405
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

XXLP47310-1F AAA side runout stamped [except AA]

XXLP47311-1GB side runout stamped

XXLP47312-1JC side runout stamped

XXLP47313-1BKD side runout stamped

Full details of this pressing

US

1959
Label and catalog number
Columbia Masterworks M2S 607Columbia M2S 607
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

XXSM-47314-1ACSide 1, Runout

XXSM-47315-2AASide 2, Runout

XXSM-47316-1CSide 3, Runout

XXSM-47317-1LSide 4, Runout

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 34 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1950s8 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1959CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2L 263 / Columbia Masterworks M2L-263First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1959CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2L-263 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5405First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2L 263 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5405First yearLP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2L 263 / Columbia Masterworks M2L-263First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2S-607 / Columbia Masterworks M2S 607First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia Masterworks M2L 263First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2L-263 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5405First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1959USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia M2S 607First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1960s7 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1962USColumbia Masterworks M2S-607 / Columbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
1966CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, AlbumLP, Album
1966CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia Masterworks MS 6083LP, AlbumLP, Album
1966CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2L 263 / Columbia Masterworks M2L-263LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono
1966CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, AlbumLP, Album
1966USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Stereo, ReissueLP, Album, Stereo, Reissue
1967USColumbia Masterworks M2S-607 / Columbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Repress, StereoLP, Album, Repress, Stereo
1970s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1973USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1973USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box SetLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set
1980s2 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1980USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / CBS Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
1980USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / CBS Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
Year unknown15 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?AustraliaCBS KLCS 2707/8 / Coronet KLCS 2707/8LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?AustraliaCBS KLCS 2707/8 / Coronet KLCS 2707/8LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia Masterworks MS 6083LP, Album, Reissue, StereoLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
?CanadaColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?FranceFontana F2L 003LP, Album, Mono · MonoLP, Album, Mono · Mono
?NetherlandsFontana 876 002/3 CYLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?UKFontana CFL 1057 / Fontana CFL 1058LP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
?USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia Masterworks M2L 263LP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks M2L 263LP, ReissueLP, Reissue
?USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LPLP
?USColumbia Masterworks M2L 263LP, Reissue, Mono · MonoLP, Reissue, Mono · Mono
?USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607 / Columbia Masterworks M2S-607LP, Repress, StereoLP, Repress, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks M2S 607LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks M2S-607 / Columbia Masterworks MS 6083LP, StereoLP, Stereo
?USColumbia Masterworks M2L 263 / Columbia Masterworks ML 5405LP, Mono · MonoLP, Mono · Mono

Tracklist

  1. Part One: The Prophecy And The Fulfillment Of The Nativity
  2. A1Overture
  3. A2Comfort Ye, My People
  4. A3Every Valley Shall Be Exalted
  5. A4And The Glory Of The Lord
  6. A5Thus Saith The Lord
  7. A6But Who May Abide
  8. A7And He Shall Purify
  9. B1Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive
  10. B2O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion
  11. B3For Unto Us A Child Is Born
  12. B4Pastoral Symphony
  13. B5There Were Shepherds
  14. B6And The Angel Said Unto Them
  15. B7And Suddenly There Was With The Angel
  16. B8Glory To God
  17. B9Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened
  18. B10He Shall Feed His Flock
  19. C1His Yoke Is Easy
  20. Part Two: The Passion And The Resurrection
  21. C2Behold The Lamb Of God
  22. C3He Was Despised
  23. C4Surley He Hath Borne Our Griefs
  24. C5And With His Stripes We Are Healed
  25. C6All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray
  26. C7Lift Up Your Hands
  27. C8Why Do The Nations?
  28. D1He That Dwelleth In Heaven
  29. D2Thou Shalt Break Them
  30. D3Hallelujah!
  31. Part Three: The Resurrection Of All Mankind To The Glory Of God
  32. D4I Know That My Redeemer Livith
  33. D5Behold, I Tell You A Mystery
  34. D6The Trumpet Shall Sound
  35. D7Worthy Is The Lamb

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of Messiah are there?

34 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1959 and 1980.

When was Messiah first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M2L 263.

How do I tell if my copy of Messiah is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2L 263, M2S-607, M2S 607, M2L-263) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is Messiah on vinyl worth?

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.

More Georg Friedrich Händel on vinyl

VinylLens app

What is your copy of Messiah worth?

Point your phone at the label. VinylLens finds the exact pressing in seconds and shows its value for every condition, from Mint to Poor, so you know what your record is really worth.

Scan your records free