Vinyl pressings
by James Last · 1973
Weihnachten & James Last was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
2371 405 =4 S1 ℗ 1973 320 AR 4 ☆Side A Variant 1
2371 405 = 3 S 2 Z ℗ 19 73 320 3 EH 6Side B Variant 1
2371 405 =4 S1 ℗ 1973 320 4A GXSide A Runout Stamped Variant 2
2371 405 = 3 S 2 Z ℗ 1973 320 GA EZSide B Runout Stamped Variant 2
2371 405 = 2 S 1 ℗ 1973 320 2 GRunout side A
2371 405 = 2 S 2 ℗ 1973 320 D 3Runout side B
2371 405=2S1
2371 405=2S2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Austria | Polydor 63 314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Austria | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 63 314LP, Club Edition, Special Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Special Edition · Club edition |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Ireland | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Polydor 2371 405First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1974 | Canada | Polydor 2371 405LP | LP |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 63 314LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | Switzerland | Ex Libris XL 171 159LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Polydor 815 199-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Germany | Polydor 5812 160LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Polydor 63314LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2371 405LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 815 199-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2371 405LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 815 199-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Weihnachten & James Last are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, UK, Austria, Ireland. One of them is Polydor 2371 405.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2371 405, 63 314) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2371 405 =4 S1 ℗ 1973 320 AR 4 ☆ and 2371 405 = 3 S 2 Z ℗ 19 73 320 3 EH 6. 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.
