Vinyl pressings
by Otis Redding · 1968
White Christmas / Merry Christmas Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. 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 1968, the album's first year, in 9 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.
68-C-15480-2 LW [sideways] AT [SRC Logo] WSide A [Etched]
68-C-15481-2 [SRC Logo] LW [sideways] W ATSide B [Etched]
68-C-15480 SPSide A [Label]
68-C-15481 SPSide B [Label]
68 – C – 15480 – RE 2 2 (MR) LW LW △73880 WA side runout
68 – C – 15481 – 2 2 (MR) LW W △73880-X ATB side runout
68C-15480-MOLabel A
68C-15481-MOLabel B
68C-15480-PLLabel, side A
68C-15481-PLLabel, side B
68C-15480-MOLabel, side A
68-C-15480 SPLabel A
68-C-15481 SPLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Atlantic AK-2696First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Barbados | ATCO Records 45-6631First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | ATCO Records ATCO-79 / ATCO Records 79First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | ATCO Records ATCO-79First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Atlantic ATL.70.343First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Italy | Atlantic ATL-NP 03091 / Atlantic ATL - NP 03091First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Jamaica | AtlanticFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Jamaica | AtlanticFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Japan | Atlantic DT-1131First year7", Mono · Mono | 7", Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Atlantic AK-2696First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6631First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-70697", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6631First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6631First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | ATCO Records 45-6631First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | UK | Atlantic K 102067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records 45-70697", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | ATCO Records 73217", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1987 | US | ATCO Records 7-999557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Atco Records 6631X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-66317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Atlantic7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Kenya | Atlantic ATK 6647" | 7" |
| ? | US | Atco Records 45-70697", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Atco Records 45-70697", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 7-999557", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 7-999557", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 7-999557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| ? | US | ATCO Records 45-66317", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Styrene |
31 vinyl pressings of White Christmas / Merry Christmas Baby are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1968 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Australia, Barbados, France and more. One of them is ATCO Records 45-6631, released October 23, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-6631, AK-2696, ATCO-79, ATL.70.343) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 68-C-15480-2 LW [sideways] AT [SRC Logo] W and 68-C-15481-2 [SRC Logo] LW [sideways] W AT. 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.
