Vinyl pressings
by Harry Nilsson · 1972
Remember (Christmas) was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BPKS 8239 3-S I A1Runout A, etched [except stamped: I A1]
BPKS 8244 3-S I I A1··Runout B, etched [except stamped: I I A1··]
BPKS-8239Label A
BPKS-8244Label B
̶B̶P̶K̶S̶ ̶8̶2̶3̶9̶ ̶3̶-̶S̶ ̶ PB10130A 3S 1 I A2Runout A
̶B̶P̶K̶S̶ ̶8̶2̶4̶4̶ ̶3̶-̶S̶ ̶ PB10130B 3S I 1 A1Runout B
PB-10130-ALabel A
PB-10130-BLabel B
BPKS 8239 3-S I A1Runout A, etched [except stamped: I A1]
BPKS 8244 3-S I I A1··Runout B, etched [except stamped: I I A1··]
BPKS-8239Label A
BPKS-8244Label B
BPKS 8239 5-S - A1F RRunout A, etched [except stamped: I A1]
BPKS 8244 5-S - A3A RRunout B, etched [except stamped: I I A1··]
BPKS-8239Label A
BPKS-8244Label B
BPKM 8239 3-S I A1Mono Side Runout
BPKS 8239 3-S I A2Stereo Side Runout
BPKM-8239Mono Side Label
BPKS-8239Stereo Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Brazil | RCA 991.4102First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | RCA Victor 74-0855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | RCA Victor PR 013First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor 74-16237First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10815First year45 RPM, 7" | 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2300First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2300First year7", Promo, Sampler, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Promo, Sampler, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 2300First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | RCA 74-0855 / RCA SP-45-403First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor PB-10130First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA 74-0855 / RCA (SP-45-0403)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | RCA 74-0855 / RCA (SPS-45-403)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor 74-0855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Remember (Christmas) are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Germany, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA Victor 74-0855.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 74-0855, PB-10130, RCA 2300, 74-16237) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BPKS 8239 3-S I A1 and BPKS 8244 3-S I I A1··. 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.
