UK
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RDM 1084, RDM 1085, RDM 1086
- Format
- LP, Mono, Box Set
Vinyl pressings
Messiah
by Georg Friedrich Händel · 1965
17 pressings10 countriesBaroqueOratorioClassical
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.
How to spot a first pressing of Messiah
6 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.
UK
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RDA27-ERCA RDA27-E
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set
- Runout / matrix
S2RS-4245-3S H KT 1Side A runout
S2RS-4246--4S B KT 1Side B runout
S2RS-4247--3S UI KT 2 1 SM ASide C runout
S2RS-4248-1K BI KT 2 1 SM ASide D runout
Netherlands
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RDS 5084
- Format
- LP · Box Set
South Africa
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RDS 5084, RDS 5085, RDS 5086
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Box Set
Spain
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RD4-27-1, RD4-27-2, RD4-27-3Discoteca De Selecciones RD4-27-1, RD4-27-2, RD4-27-3
- Format
- LP, Stereo · Box Set
- Runout / matrix
S2RS-4245Side A Label
S2RS-4246Side B Label
S2RS-4247Side C Label
S2RS-4248Side D Label
Spain
1965- Label and catalog number
- Reader's Digest RD3-27-1, RD3-27-2, RD3-27-3
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono, Box Set
- Runout / matrix
S2RM-4251Side A Label
S2RM-4252Side B Label
S2RM-4253Side C Label
S2RM-4254Side D Label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 17 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1960s11 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | Reader's Digest RDA 27-E / RCA Custom RDA 27-E, 689-ES-1[-6], S2RS-4245[-50]LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Reader's Digest RDS 5084First yearLP | LP |
| 1965 | South Africa | Reader's Digest RDS 5084, RDS 5085, RDS 5086First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Spain | Reader's Digest RD4-27-1, RD4-27-2, RD4-27-3 / Discoteca De Selecciones RD4-27-1, RD4-27-2, RD4-27-3First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1965 | Spain | Reader's Digest RD3-27-1, RD3-27-2, RD3-27-3First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Reader's Digest RDM 1084, RDM 1085, RDM 1086First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Reader's Digest RDA27-E / RCA RDA27-EFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1965 | US | Reader's Digest RDA 27-A / RCA Custom RDA 27-ALP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set · Club edition |
| 1965 | US | Reader's Digest RDA 27-A / RCA Custom RDA 27-ALP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo, Box Set, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1966 | France | RCA Victor 440.714/16 / RCA Victor 440.714LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1966 | France | RCA Victor 430.714/16LP, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Deluxe Edition, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
1970s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | US | Quintessence P3C2701LP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
Year unknown5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Reader's Digest RDS-17 -1 / Reader's Digest RDS-17 -2, RDS-17 -3LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Europe | Reader's Digest RDS 5084/86LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victrola SNA 25014-R-1/3LP, Album, Box Set | LP, Album, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor SMA 25 014-R/1-3 / RCA Victrola SMA 25 014-R/1-3LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | RCA Victor SMA 25 014-R/1-3 / RCA Victrola SMA 25 014-R/1-3LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Album, Stereo, Box Set |
Tracklist
- AOverture Through No.7, Chorus
- BNo.8, Recititative, Through No.12, Chorus
- CNo.13, Pastoral Symphony, Through No.21, Chorus
- DNo.22, Chorus, Through No.32, Air
- ENo.33, Chorus, Through No.44, Chorus
- FNo.45, Air, Through Final Chorus
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Messiah are there?
17 vinyl pressings of Messiah are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1965 and 1978.
When was Messiah first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in UK, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain. One of them is Reader's Digest RDM 1084, RDM 1085, RDM 1086.
How do I tell if my copy of Messiah is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RDM 1084, RDM 1085, RDM 1086, RDA27-E, RDS 5084, RDS 5084, RDS 5085, RDS 5086) 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.
