Vinyl pressings
by Kurtis Blow · 1979
Christmas Rappin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 2 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.
PSP-12-1A-AA mDS 4009 AEtched run-out side A
PSP-12-1B-AA mDS 4009BEtched run-out side B
MDS-4009-ALabel side A
MDS-4009-BLabel side B
2-55770 / 9198.613A side label
2-55771 / 9198.613B side label
MDS-4009-A-PRC-C-1-1 Masterdisk HWA side etching
MDS-4009-B-PRC-C-1-1 Masterdisk HWB side etching
MDS-4009-A-K1Side A Run-out
MDS-4009-B-K1Side B Run-out
MDS-4009-ASide A Label
MDS-4009-BSide B Label
MDS-4009-A-PRC-RI-1-1 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout
MDS-4009-B-PRC-R-2-1-1 MASTERDISK HWSide B runout
2-55768-PRC-R-2-1-1 MASTERDISK-1 HW 76032-ARunout side A
2-55769-PRC-R-2-1-1 76032-BRunout side B
2-55768Label side A
2-55769Label side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | UK | Mercury BLOW 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Mercury BLOW 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS-4009 / Mercury 9198.613First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS 4009First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS-4009First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS-4009First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | US | Mercury DJ-562 / Mercury MDS-4009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS-4009First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | US | Mercury MDS 4009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | Mercury 6167 8837", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Mercury MDS-4009 / Mercury 9198 61312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Mercury MDS-4009 / Mercury 9198 61312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Mercury 761947", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | Mercury MDS-400912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | France | Mascotte Music 50812", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1994 | France | Mascotte Music 474 031-612", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | US | Mercury 314 562 560-112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1999 | US | Mercury 314 562 559-77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Unknown | Mercury MDS-400912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
19 vinyl pressings of Christmas Rappin' are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1979 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK. One of them is Mercury MDS-4009.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDS-4009, MDS 4009, DJ-562, BLOW 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PSP-12-1A-AA mDS 4009 A and PSP-12-1B-AA mDS 4009B. 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.
