Vinyl pressings
by Gustav Holst · 1962
The Hymn Of Jesus was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. 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 1962, 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.
ZAL-5516-2E R C 1Runout side A - machine stamped - variant #1
ZAL-5517-2E R U MT 1 [1 preceded by an unidentifiable symbol]Runout side B - machine stamped - variant #1
ZAL-5516-1E C 2BRunout side A - machine stamped - variant #2
ZAL-5517-1E C 1Runout side B - machine stamped - variant #2
ARL-5516-2ARunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-5517-2ARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-5516-2ARunout side A - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-5517-2ARunout side B - machine stamped - this variant
ARL-5516-2A M UT KT 1Side A runout
ARL-5517-2A M WT 1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | US | London Records CS 6324First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | London Records CS 6324First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | Decca SXL 6006 / Decca SXL.6006First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | UK | Decca LXT 6006 / Decca LXT.6006First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Decca LXT 6006 / Decca LXT.6006First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | Decca LXT 6006First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | London Records CM 9324First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Spain | Decca SXL 6006LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | UK | Decca JB 49LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Decca JB 49LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | New Zealand | Decca LXTM.6006 / Decca LXT.6006LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6006 / Decca SXL.6006LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6006 / Decca SXL.6006LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca JB 49LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Decca SXL 6006LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of The Hymn Of Jesus are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1962 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in UK, US. One of them is Decca SXL 6006, released September 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SXL 6006, LXT 6006, CM 9324, CS 6324) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-5516-2E R C 1 and ZAL-5517-2E R U MT 1 [1 preceded by an unidentifiable symbol]. 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.
