Vinyl pressings
by Lou Rawls · 1967
Merry Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho! was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. 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 1967, 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.
ST-1-2790-W1 OSide A runout (variant 1)
ST-2-2790-X2 #2 OSide B runout (variant 1)
ST1-2790-W1 OSide A runout (variant 2)
ST2-2790-B8 #2 OSide B runout (variant 2)
T1-2790-F1A side runout, etched
T2-2790-G2B side runout, etched
T1-2790A side label
T2-2790B side label
ST1-2790 - - B2 x 3Side A Runout, variant 1 Etched
ST1-2790-B2Side B Runout, variant 1 Etched
A machine stamped triangle with the initials IAMRunout stamped both sides
ST1- 2790-A1 [I AM logo]Side A runout, variant 2
ST1-2790-B6 OA side stamped
ST2-2790-A5 OB side stamped
ST-1-2790-H-3 2 *Side A runout (variant 1)
ST-2-2790-B-3 2 *Side B runout (variant 1)
ST1-2790Side A label
ST2-2790Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records T 2790 / Capitol Records T-2790First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 2790 / Capitol Records ST-2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1967 | US | Capitol Records ST 2790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2790LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-2790LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SM-2790LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Merry Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho! are listed here, from 2 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, Canada. One of them is Capitol Records ST 2790.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 2790, T 2790, ST-2790) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-2790-W1 O and ST-2-2790-X2 #2 O. 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.
