Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1967
Christmas Oratorio was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1967, 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.
ZAL-7792-4G G JT 1Side 1 runout, stamped Variant 1
ZAL-7793-4G H 1Side 2 runout, stamped Variant 1
ZAL-7794-6G A JT 1Side 3 runout, stamped Variant 1
ZAL-7795-4G D D JT 1Side 4 runout, stamped Variant 1
ZAL-7792-3GSide A runout
ZAL-7793-3GSide B runout
ZAL-7794-5GSide C runout
ZAL-7795-3GSide D runout
ZAL 7792Label Side A
ZAL 7793Label Side B
ZAL 7794Label Side C
ZAL 7795Label Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Scandinavia | Decca SET 346-48First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1967 | UK | Decca SET 346-8First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1967 | UK | Decca MET 346-8First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1967 | US | London Records OSA 1386First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Stereo | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | London Records A 4386First yearLP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set, Album · Mono |
| 1967 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LSDC - 71005/6/7First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Germany | Decca SET 346-48LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1978 | Germany | Decca 6.35274 EKLP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Decca 6.35274 EKLP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Decca 414 445-1LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| 1985 | UK | London Records 414 445-1LP, Reissue, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Reissue, Box Set, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Decca SET 346-48 / Decca SET 346LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | UK | Decca SET 346-8LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | US | London Records OSA 1386 / London Records OSA ·1386LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Christmas Oratorio are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1967 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Scandinavia, Yugoslavia. One of them is London Records OSA 1386.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OSA 1386, A 4386, SET 346-8, MET 346-8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZAL-7792-4G G JT 1 and ZAL-7793-4G H 1. 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.
