Vinyl pressings
by Shakin' Stevens · 1985
Merry Christmas Everyone was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
A-6769-A-1A-side runout - variant 1
A-6769-B-3B-side runout - variant 1
A-6769-A-1 ⋀A-side runout - variant 2
A-6769-B.1 ⋀B-side runout - variant 2
TA 6769 A1Side A
TA 6769 B2Side B
A 6769 A-4 1 DAMONT AGA-side runout
A 6769 B-4 MT2 DAMONT JB-side runout
A6769 A*Side A label
A6769 B*Side B label
TA 6769 A1Side A runout
TA -6769-B2Side B runout
TA 6769 ASide A label
TA 6769 BSide B label
TA 6769 A1 ⎾ ⏋A-side runout, hand-etched, '⎾ ⏋' stamped
TA-6769-B2 12" (-)A-side runout, hand-etched
TA 6769 AA-side label
TA 6769 BB-side label
A-6769-A-2A-side runout (Variant 1)
A-6769-B-3B-side runout (Variant 1)
A-6769 - A-1A-side runout (Variant 2)
A-6769 - B-2B-side runout (Variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPCA 6769 / Epic A 6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12.6769 / Epic A 12.6769First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Epic TA 6769First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic TA 6769First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic A 6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic TA 6769First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPCA 6769 / Epic A 6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Epic A 6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Epic A 6769 / Epic A 6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | South Africa | Epic EN 5890 / Epic EN 5890First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic A 6769 / Epic A6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Epic GTA 6769First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | UK | Epic A 6769 / Epic A6769First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 67697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK & Europe | Epic A 67697", 45 RPM, Special Edition | 7", 45 RPM, Special Edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | BMG BMGCAT563SV12", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2021 | UK | BMG BMGCAT563SV12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Remastered |
19 vinyl pressings of Merry Christmas Everyone are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1985 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Europe, Ireland, Portugal and more. One of them is Epic A 6769, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A 6769, GTA 6769, TA 6769, EPCA 6769) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-6769-A-1 and A-6769-B-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.
