Vinyl pressings
by Mud · 1974
Lonely This Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
4 YRAK 187 A-1A-side runout, stamped - "4" tilted 90 degrees
3 YRAK 187 B-1B-side runout, stamped - "3" tilted 90 degrees
(YRAK. 187A)Label side A
(YRAK. 187B)Label side B
YRAK 187 A-1A-side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 B-1B-side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 ALabel side A
YRAK 187 BLabel side B
YRAK 187 A-1 RRH 2A side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 B-1 RLM 6B side runout, stamped
YRAK.187AA side label
YRAK.187BB side label
YRAK 187 A-1A Side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 B-1B Side runout, stamped
(YRAK. 187 A)A Side Label
(YRAK 187 B)B Side Label
YRAK 187 A-2A-side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 B-2B-side runout, stamped
YRAK 187 ALabel side A
YRAK 187 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C 006.96084 / EMI 4 C 006-96084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C006 96084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C 006.96084 / EMI 4 C 006-96084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Denmark | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Finland | RAK 5E 006-96084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RAK 2C 004-96084 / RAK 2C 004-96.084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-96 084 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 084First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-96 084 / RAK 5C 006-96084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-96084First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | UK | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Ireland | RAK RAK 187First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | UK | EMI 12 RAK 18712", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1985 | UK | EMI RAK 1877", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 084 / RAK 1C 006-96 0847", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Lonely This Christmas are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Ireland, Belgium, Denmark and more. One of them is RAK RAK 187, released November 22, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 187, 4C 006.96084, 4C006 96084, 5E 006-96084) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4 YRAK 187 A-1 and 3 YRAK 187 B-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.
