Vinyl pressings
by The Abbey Choir · 1966
The Little Drummer Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year. 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.
SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV61A66Side A runout etched
SSS-1709B 33-5 6-66 TV6A66Side B runout etched
SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV61066Side A runout etched
SSS-1709B 33-5 6.66 TV6466Side B runout etched
SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV61A66side A runout etched
SSS-1709B 33-5 6-66 TV6A66side B runout etched
SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV61A66Side A, Etched
SSS-1709B 33-5 6-66 TV6A66Side B, Etched
SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV G 1066Side A runout
SSS-1709B 33-5 6-66 TV C 466Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records XS-1709 / Diplomat Records SX 1709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records SX-1709 / Diplomat Records SX 1709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records X-1709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records X-1709 / Diplomat Records SX 1709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records XS-1709First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1966 | US | Diplomat Records SX 1709First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | US | Diplomat Records X-1709 / Diplomat Records SX 1709LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Diplomat Records SX 1709LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Caroleer Records SX 1701LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Diplomat Records NX-1015LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of The Little Drummer Boy are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1966 and 1971.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US. One of them is Diplomat Records XS-1709.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use XS-1709, SX-1709, X-1709, SX 1709) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SSS-1709-A (-2) 33-5 6-66 TV61A66 and SSS-1709B 33-5 6-66 TV6A66. 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.
