Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Cash · 1963
The Christmas Spirit was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 3 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.
XLP-75600-1GSide A, stamped, variant 1
XLP-75601-1ESide B, stamped, variant 1
XLP-75600-1E AIIIISide A, stamped, except ''AIIII'' which is etched, variant 2
XLP-75601-1FSide B, stamped, variant 2
BPG62284 1L//1∇420
BPG62284 2L//1∇420
SBPG62284 1Y//1∇420 1 1 2 AA side runout
SBPG62284 2Y//1∇420 1 1 3 AB side runout
ㅇ XSM-75602-1BSide A runout
ㅇ XSM-75603-1GSide B runout
XSM 75602Side A label
XSM 75603Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia CS 8917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia CL 2117First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia CS 8917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | CBS BPG 62284First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | UK | CBS SBPG 62284First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Columbia CL 2117First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Columbia CS 8917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CL 2117LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Columbia CL 2117LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1969 | Europe | CBS S 62284 / CBS SBPG 62284LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1970 | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | UK & Europe | CBS 460461 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Columbia 88875011571 / Friday Music FRM-8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | US | Columbia 88875011571 / Friday Music FRM-8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2016 | US | Columbia 88875011571 / Friday Music FRM-8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2017 | Canada | Stargrove Entertainment Inc VNL9009LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | Europe | DOL DOS750MBLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | US | Columbia 88875011571 / Friday Music FRM-8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2018 | US | Columbia 88875011571 / Friday Music FRM-8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK | DOL DOS750HZLP, Special Edition | LP, Special Edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS 62284 / CBS SBPG62284LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8917 / Columbia 3C 8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia CL 2117LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | Columbia CS 8917LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of The Christmas Spirit are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1963 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Columbia CL 2117.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CL 2117, CS 8917, BPG 62284, SBPG 62284) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XLP-75600-1G and XLP-75601-1E. 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.
