Vinyl pressings
by Les Paul · 1951
Jingle Bells / Silent Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1951. 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 1951, the album's first year, in 5 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.
9173-N7 [Anvil symbol] 11-51 4Side A variant 1
9174-N9 [Anvil symbol] 11-51 3Side B variant 1
1 9173-N12 [Anvil symbol] 11-51Side A variant 2
9174-N8 [Anvil symbol]Side B variant 2
45-9173-N4#3 ☖ 11-51 2Runout A variant 1
45-9174-N6#4 ☖ 11-51 1Runout B variant 1
45-9173-N3#2 ☖ 11-51 1Runout A variant 2
45-9174-N3#2 ☖ 11-51 1Runout B variant 2
9173Side A Label
9174Side B Label
CAP.9173side A - label
CAP.9174side B - label
9173Side A Label
9174Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Canada | Capitol Records C-868First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Single |
| 1951 | Denmark | Capitol Records C 1881First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | France | Capitol Records 1881First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | Capitol Records CL.13647First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records F1881First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 1881First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1951 | US | Capitol Records 1881First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1952 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1881Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Capitol Records CP-173Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records F-8687", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records 7P-567", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records CEC-87", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records Z-93Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | Japan | Capitol Records 7P-567", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Switzerland | Telefunken Capitol CL 1881Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| ? | US | Capitol Records 1881Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Jingle Bells / Silent Night are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1951 and 1952.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in US, UK, Canada, Denmark and more. One of them is Capitol Records 1881, released November 1951.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1881, F1881, CL.13647, C-868) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9173-N7 [Anvil symbol] 11-51 4 and 9174-N9 [Anvil symbol] 11-51 3. 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.
