Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1973
Weihnachts-Oratorium 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.
9 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 6 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.
✳ AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout side A stamped
✳ AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout side B stamped
✳ AA 6500 398 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout side C stamped
AA 6500 398 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout side D stamped
AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 11 3 03Runout side A
AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03 11 20Runout side B
AA 6500 398 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 11 1 03Runout side C
AA 6500 398 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03 11Runout side D
✳ AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout Groove Side A
✳ AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout Groove Side B
✳ AA 6500 398 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout Groove Side C
AA 6500 398 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout Groove Side D
✳ AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout Groove Side A
✳ AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout Groove Side B
✳ AA 6500 398 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04Runout Groove Side C
AA 6500 398 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03Runout Groove Side D
6500 397.1 YVinyl Label Side 1
6500 397.2 YVinyl Label Side 2
6500 398.1 YVinyl Label Side 3
6500 398.2 YVinyl Label Side 4
AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670Runout Groove Side 1
AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670Runout Groove Side 2
AA 6500 398 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670Runout Groove Side 3
AA 6500 398 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670Runout Groove Side 4
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 | Europe | Philips 6703 037LP, Repress, Box Set | LP, Repress, Box Set |
| 1973 | Europe | Philips 6703 037LP, Repress, Box Set | LP, Repress, Box Set |
| 1973 | France | Philips 6500 397 / Philips 6500 398First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1973 | Germany | Philips 6703 037First yearBox Set, Album, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Album, LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Philips 6703 037First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1973 | Germany | Philips 6500397/98/99First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1973 | Italy | Philips 6998 009 / Philips 6866 039First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Italy | Philips 6703 037First yearLP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Philips 6998 009 / Philips 6866 039First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Spain | Philips 65 00 397 / Philips 65 00 398First yearBox Set, Album, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Album, LP, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Philips 6703 037First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С10—17821-26LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Album | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Philips 6703 037LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Repress, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | France | Philips 6703 037LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Stereo, Box Set, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Weihnachts-Oratorium are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Germany, UK, France, Italy and more. One of them is Philips 6703 037.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6703 037, 6500397/98/99, 6500 397, 6998 009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ✳ AA 6500 397 1Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 04 and ✳ AA 6500 397 2Y 1 ℗ 1973 670 03. 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.
