Vinyl pressings
by Leonard Bernstein · 1963
The Joy Of Christmas 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.
6 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.
XXLP-75087-2AD T BSide A Stamped, Variant 1
o XXLP-75088-3K BSide B Stamped, Variant 1
XXLP-75087-2G FSide A Stamped, Variant 2
XXLP-75088-3JSide B Stamped, Variant 2, 3
XXLP-75087-2AD T BSide A Stamped, Variant 1
o XXLP-75088-3K BSide B Stamped, Variant 1
XXLP-75087-2G FSide A Stamped, Variant 2
XXLP-75088-3JSide B Stamped, Variant 2, 3
XXLP-75087-2A oRunout Side A (Variant 1)
XXLP-75088-3C oRunout Side B (Variant 1)
c XXLP-75087-3CRunout Side A (Variant 2)
c XXLP-75087-4DRunout Side B (Variant 2)
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 Masterworks MS 6499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5899First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6499First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1963 | UK | Columbia Masterworks SBPG 62288First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1963 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5899First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5899First yearLP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | UK | CBS 62288 / CBS BPG 62288LP, Repress | LP, Repress |
| 1971 | UK & Ireland | CBS 61245 / CBS Classics 61245LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5899 / Sony Classical 88985 475941LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | CBS MS 6499LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Australia | CBS SBR-235047 / CBS BR 235047LP | LP |
| ? | Australia | CBS BR 235047 / CBS BR-235047LP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| ? | UK | CBS BPG 62288LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6499 / CBS Classics S 61245LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6499LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Armed Forces Records WMAS 59-60 / Armed Forces Records SSL 15649-15650LP | LP |
| ? | US | CBS Masterworks MS 6499 / Columbia Masterworks MS 6499LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6499LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Joy Of Christmas are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1963 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks ML 5899.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ML 5899, SBPG 62288, MS 6499) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXLP-75087-2AD T B and o XXLP-75088-3K B. 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.
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