UK
1961- Label and catalog number
- Decca SET 218-20
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · K/T
Georg Friedrich HändelMessiah
Vinyl pressings
Messiah
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1961
30 pressings10 countriesBaroqueOratorioClassical
Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1961. 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
6 pressings came out in 1961, the album's first year, in 4 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.
UK
1961- Label and catalog number
- Decca SET 218-20
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · O/T
- Runout / matrix
ZAL.5279Side A label
ZAL.5280Side B label
ZAL.5281Side C label
ZAL.5282Side D label
US
November 1961- Label and catalog number
- London Records OSA-1329London Records OSA.1329
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · Blue Back
- Runout / matrix
ZAL-5279-1D C ZT 1Side 1
ZAL-5280-1D C ZT 1Side 2
ZAL-5281-1D C ZT 1Side 3
ZAL-5282-1D C ZT 1Side 4
Japan
1961- Label and catalog number
- London Records SEL 1091/3
- Format
- LP, Deluxe Edition
Spain
1961- Label and catalog number
- Decca 218/20
- Format
- LP, Stereo, Box Set
Spain
1961- Label and catalog number
- Decca LXT/MET 218/19/20
- Format
- LP, Mono, Box Set
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 30 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Japan | London Records SEL 1091/3First yearLP, Deluxe Edition | LP, Deluxe Edition |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca 218/20First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | Spain | Decca LXT/MET 218/19/20First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SET 218-20First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | UK | Decca SET 218-20First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1961 | US | London Records OSA-1329 / London Records OSA.1329First yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl |
| 1964 | US | London Records OSA-1329 / London Records OSA.1329LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
1970s10 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | World Record Club S-5233 / World Record Club S-5234LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 1973 | Australia | World Record Club S-5233 / World Record Club S-5234LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 1974 | France | Decca 7230/32LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1974 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 1975 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 1976 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | Germany | Decca 6.35292 EKLP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1977 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1978 | UK | Decca D104D 3 / Decca D104D 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1978 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
1980s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | World Record Club R-00840 / World Record Club R-00841LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1982 | Canada | London Records JL 42007LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | London Records JL 42007LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1988 | USSR | Мелодия С10 26261 003LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
Year unknown9 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Decca SETA. 218/20LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca SAWD 9920/22-BLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca SAWD 9920/22-BLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Decca 6.35292 EKLP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | Japan | London Records SLC 1643/5LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | New Zealand | Decca SETM 218-20 / Decca MET 218-20LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Decca MET 218-20LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca Set 218/20LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | London Records X.5665/6/7 / London Records A 4357LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono, Colored vinyl |
Tracklist
- AMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 1 Nos. 1 to 7
- BMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 1 (Cont.) Nos. 8 to 18
- CMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 1 (Conclusion) Nos. 19 to 21 / Part 2 Nos. 22 and 23
- DMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 2 (Cont) Nos. 24 to 36
- EMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 2 (Conclusion) Nos. 37 to 44 / Part 3 Nos. 45 and 46
- FMessiah: Handel Complete Version Part 3 (Conclusion) Nos. 47 to 53
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Messiah are there?
30 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1961 and 1988.
When was Messiah first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1961, in UK, US, Japan, Spain. One of them is Decca SET 218-20.
How do I tell if my copy of Messiah is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SET 218-20, OSA-1329, SEL 1091/3, 218/20) 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.
