UK
March 1954- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT 2921- LXT 2924
- Format
- LP, Mono, Box Set · EY2
- Runout / matrix
ARL-1991-1BSide A
ARL-1992-1BSide B
ARL-1993-1BSide C
ARL-1994-1BSide D
Georg Friedrich HändelMessiah
Vinyl pressings
Messiah
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1954
29 pressings8 countriesBaroqueOratorioClassical
Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1954. 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
2 pressings came out in 1954, 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.
Germany
1954- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT 2921, LXT 2922, LXT 2923, LXT 2924
- Format
- LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono
- Runout / matrix
ARL-1991-3DSide A
ARL-1992-3DSide B
ARL-1993-3DSide C
ARL-1994-3DSide D
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 29 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Germany | Decca LXT 2921, LXT 2922, LXT 2923, LXT 2924First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| 1954 | UK | Decca LXT 2921- LXT 2924First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1955 | New Zealand | Decca LXTM.2921 / Decca LXTM 2922LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1955 | UK | Decca LXT 2921, LXT 2922, LXT 2923, LXT 2924LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
1960s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | France | Decca ACL 118-19-20 / Ace Of Clubs ACL 118-19-20LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca ACL 118-19-20 / Ace Of Clubs ACL 118-19-20LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1970s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | Eclipse ECS 613, ECS 614, ECS 615 / Eclipse ECS.613 ECS.614 ECS.615LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Sine Qua Non SQN 109 XLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1974 | US | Sine Qua Non SQN 7780/3LP | LP |
| 1974 | US | Sine Qua Non SQN 109 XLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1974 | US | Sine Qua Non SQN 109XLP, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Limited Edition · Limited |
Year unknown18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca LXTA 2921-2-3-4LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Ace Of Clubs ACL.118 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.119LP | LP |
| ? | France | Decca B 461/63LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca MA 25002 / 1-3 DLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | Netherlands | Decca DAX 195021/23 / Decca DAX 195 021LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 119 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.119LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 120 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.120LP | LP |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 118 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.118LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 118 / Ace Of Clubs ACL 119LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 119 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.119LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 118 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.118LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Ace Of Clubs ACL 120 / Ace Of Clubs ACL.120LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | London Records LLA-19LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | US | VOX SVBX 5203LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| ? | US | London Records A 4403LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
Tracklist
- Messiah
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Messiah are there?
29 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1954 and 1974.
When was Messiah first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1954, in UK, Germany. One of them is Decca LXT 2921- LXT 2924, released March 1954.
How do I tell if my copy of Messiah is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LXT 2921- LXT 2924, LXT 2921, LXT 2922, LXT 2923, LXT 2924) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARL-1991-1B and ARL-1992-1B. 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.
