Vinyl pressings
by Heinrich Schütz · 1965
Historia Der Geburt Jesu Christi 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.
3 pressings came out in 1965, 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.
8 20 489 A 0 203 1377 ☆ J5 W - ><Runout side A
8 20 489 B 0 203 1378 ☆ G5 W - ><Runout side B
0 203 1377Matrix label side A
0 203 1378Matrix label side B
XRX 1119-1Side A Runout
XRX.1119Side A Label
XRX.1120Side B Label
XRX 1120-1
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 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 489First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia 33CX 1945First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | UK | Columbia SAX 2584First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1966 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 489LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 489LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Australia | The Record Society S/6250 / The Record Society S-6250LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1967 | Australia | The Record Society S/6250 / The Record Society S-6250LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Mono · Mono, Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 489LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 489LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 489LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Angel Records ANG. 36211LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Columbia FCX 1003LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | France | Columbia SAXF 1003LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 489LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Columbia 1 C 063-28 513 / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 063-28 513LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Columbia C 91 298 / Columbia WCX 595LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Columbia STC 91 298 / Columbia SAXW 9578LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Columbia 1 C 063-28 513LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Columbia 1 C 063-28 513 / Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1 C 063-28 513LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Odeon C 91 298 / Odeon 91 298LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Angel Records 36211LP | LP |
| ? | US | Angel Records S.36211LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Historia Der Geburt Jesu Christi are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1965 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in German Democratic Republic (GDR), UK. One of them is ETERNA 8 20 489.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8 20 489, 33CX 1945, SAX 2584) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 8 20 489 A 0 203 1377 ☆ J5 W - >< and 8 20 489 B 0 203 1378 ☆ G5 W - ><. 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.
