Vinyl pressings
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1965
Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1965, 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.
YAX 1184-5G GL 13Runout stamped side A ("GL" and "13") tilted
YAX 1185-3G GPRunout stamped side B ("GP" tilted)
YAX 1186-4G R 1Runout stamped side C ("R" and "1" tilted)
YAX 1187-2G GT 15Runout stamped side D ("GT" and "15" tilted)
YAX 1184-5G GH 13Runout stamped side 1 ("GH" and "13") tilted
YAX 1185-3G GORunout stamped side 2 ("GO" tilted)
YAX 1186-3G GLRunout stamped side 3 ("GL" tilted)
YAX 1187-2G GPRunout stamped side 4 ("GP" tilted)
YAX 1184-5G R 1Runout stamped side A
YAX 1185-3G R 1Runout stamped side B
YAX 1186-3G T 1Runout stamped side C
YAX 1187-2G GR 1Runout stamped side D
XAX 2753-1S CJRunout stamped side A
XAX 2754-1S CJRunout stamped side B
XAX 2755-1SRunout stamped side C
XAX 2756-1XRunout stamped side D
YAX-X-1184-A5 [Scranton IAM triangle] &Runout Side A, stamped
YAX-X-1185-A4 [Scranton IAM triangle] &Runout Side B, stamped
YAX-X-1186-B6 [Scranton IAM triangle] &Runout Side C, stamped
YAX-X-1187-B16 [Scranton IAM triangle] &Runout Side D, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | Angel Records CL 3657First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | France | La Voix De Son Maître SAN 145 À 148 FLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | France | La Voix De Son Maître AN 146 À 148 FLP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | Japan | Angel Records AA-9117-CFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | UK | His Master's Voice SAN 146-7-8 / His Master's Voice SAN 146-8First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | UK | His Master's Voice SAN 146-8First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | UK | His Master's Voice SAN 146-7-8 / His Master's Voice SAN 146-8First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl | LP, Stereo, Box Set · Colored vinyl |
| 1965 | UK | His Master's Voice AN 146-7-8First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Angel Records CL 3657 / Angel Records SCL-3657First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1966 | Brazil | Angel Records 3CBX-432/3/4 / Angel Records 3SCBX-432/3/4LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1967 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo SAN-146-7-8LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Angel Records CL 3657 / Angel Records SCL-3657LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1972 | France | La Voix De Son Maître CAN 146, CAN 147, CAN 148LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | France | La Voix De Son Maître 2C 167-00037--9 / La Voix De Son Maître 2 C 167-00037/9LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1977 | Japan | Angel Records EAC-77252~54LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 10C 137-000037/39LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo 1J 165-000.37/39LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Angel Records CL 3657 / Angel Records SCL-3657LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | Angel Records CL 3657 / Angel Records SCL-3657LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
19 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1965 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, US, Canada, Japan. One of them is His Master's Voice SAN 146-7-8.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SAN 146-7-8, SAN 146-8, AN 146-7-8, CL 3657) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAX 1184-5G GL 13 and YAX 1185-3G GP. 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.
