Vinyl pressings
by Mario Lanza · 1951
Silent Night / The First Noël 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.
3 pressings came out in 1951, 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.
EI-RB-0778-1A P 2Stamped Runout, Side A
EI-RB-0779-1B G 1Stamped Runout, Side B
EI-RB-0778-1A O 2Stamped Runout, Side A Variant 1
EI-RB-0779-1B GD 2Stamped Runout, Side B Variant 1
E1 RB 0778Side A runout
E1-RB 0779-1BSide B runout
E1-RB-0778Side A label
E1-RB-0779Side 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 | Australia | His Master's Voice E.C.192First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | His Master's Voice D.A.1998First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1951 | UK | RCA Victor 10-3640First year10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo | 10", 78 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1952 | UK | His Master's Voice 7R 1287", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1953 | Spain | La Voz De Su Amo AA 750Shellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 06987", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Canada | RCA 447-08507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1959 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 06987", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | Italy | RCA Italiana 45N 06987", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | US | RCA 447-08507", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Finland | RCA 447-08507", Single | 7", Single |
| ? | Germany | RCA 447-08507", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | South Africa | RCA 40.0217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | RCA 447-08507", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA 447-08507", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | RCA 447-08507", Single, Reissue, Styrene | 7", Single, Reissue, Styrene |
| ? | US | RCA Victor 447-08507", Single | 7", Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Silent Night / The First Noël are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1951 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1951, in UK, Australia. One of them is His Master's Voice D.A.1998.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D.A.1998, 10-3640, E.C.192) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EI-RB-0778-1A P 2 and EI-RB-0779-1B G 1. 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.
