Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1959
Weihnachts Oratorium 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.
1 pressing 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 YRA 1544Side 1 on Label
2 YRA 1545Side 2 on Label
2 YRA 1546Side 3 on Label
2 YRA 1547Side 5 on 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 | Electrola STE 80 465/68 / Electrola CSDW 7012/15First yearLP, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Eterna 8 20 084-087LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | His Master's Voice ASDS 501 / His Master's Voice ASD 502 - 504LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo, LP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo | LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo, LP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | His Master's Voice ALPS 1950 / His Master's Voice ALP 1951-1953LP, Single Sided, Etched, Mono, LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono | LP, Single Sided, Etched, Mono, LP, Mono, Box Set, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 084-087 / ETERNA M 33 8 20 084-087LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1967 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 20 084-087 / ETERNA M 33 8 20 084-087LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Repress, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1969 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 084-087 / ETERNA 8 20 084-087LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1969 | US | Seraphim SIC-6040LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | ETERNA 8 25 084-087LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Germany | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 197-28 583/85 / His Master's Voice 1C 197-28 583/85Box Set, Reissue, LP | Box Set, Reissue, LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Eterna 8 20 084-087LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Dacapo 1C 147-28 583/5LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | His Master's Voice 1C 197 12 8583 3Box Set, LP, Album | Box Set, LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Dacapo 1C 147-28 583 / Dacapo 1C 147-28 584Box Set, LP | Box Set, LP |
| ? | Germany | Die Volksplatte SMVP 80 63/65Box Set, LP | Box Set, LP |
| ? | Germany | Odeon E 80 465/66S/67/68 / Electrola E 80 465/66S/67/68LP, Mono, LP, Single Sided, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, LP, Single Sided, Box Set · Mono |
| ? | Germany | Electrola E 80 465/66S/67/68 / Electrola WCLP 595/96S/97/98LP, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Dacapo 1C 147-28 583 / Dacapo 1C 147-28 584Box Set, LP | Box Set, LP |
| ? | Germany | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 197-28 583/85 / His Master's Voice 1C 197-28 583/85Box Set, LP | Box Set, LP |
| ? | Switzerland | Die Stimme Seines Herrn 1C 197-28 583/85 / Silva 1C 197-28 583/85Box Set, LP, Special Edition | Box Set, LP, Special Edition |
| ? | US | Seraphim SIC-6040LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
21 vinyl pressings of Weihnachts Oratorium are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1959 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in Germany. One of them is Electrola STE 80 465/68.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use STE 80 465/68) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2 YRA 1544 and 2 YRA 1545. 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.
