Vinyl pressings
by Heinrich Schütz · 1959
Weihnachtshistorie was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year. 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.
2 K1 ‒/W L (L stamped 1/4 turn counter-clockwise) // 640201‒2 A // Made in GermanyA runout
K1 ‒/W I (I stamped 1/4 turn counter-clockwise) // 640201‒2 B // Made in GermanyB runout
K1 ‒/W 640201‒2 A Manufactured in GermanyA runout (Variant 2)
K1 ‒/W 640201‒2 B Manufactured in GermanyB runout (Variant 2)
650 201-A I Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
LP-Ste-0650201 B S-IV-H - H Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
650 201 AA label
650 201 BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Germany | Cantate 640 201 / Cantate T 72 095 LPFirst yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Germany | Cantate 650 201 / Cantate 76.21 914First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | France | Le Club Chrétien Du Disque 10 / Cantate 640 201LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1964 | Germany | Orbis 70 070LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1967 | US | Vanguard SRV 232 SDLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Musical Heritage Society MHS 1197LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | The Bach Guild HM-11 SDLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1974 | Brazil | Vanguard VALP-40324 / The Bach Guild VALP-40324LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Cantate OW-7830-KTLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Cantate T 72 095 LPLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Orbis 70 070LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
11 vinyl pressings of Weihnachtshistorie are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1959 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in Germany. One of them is Cantate 640 201.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 640 201, 650 201) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 K1 ‒/W L (L stamped 1/4 turn counter-clockwise) // 640201‒2 A // Made in Germany and K1 ‒/W I (I stamped 1/4 turn counter-clockwise) // 640201‒2 B // Made in Germany. 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.
