Vinyl pressings
by The Harry Simeone Chorale · 1963
The Little Drummer Boy / O' Holy Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ZTSP-89282-1ADSide A stamped variant 1
ZTSP-89283-1AESide B stamped variant 1
ZTSP-89282-1KSide A stamped variant 2
ZTSP-89283-1JSide B stamped variant 2
ZTSP 89282-1AEA Side runout (stamped), variant 1
ZTSP 89283-1AEB Side runout (stamped), variant 1
ZTSP 89282-1AG S1A Side runout (stamped) S1 etched, variant 2
ZTSP 89283-1AG S1B Side runout (stamped) S1 etched, variant 2
ZTSP 89282Label A
ZTSP 89283Label B
ZTSP 89282 XRunout A
ZTSP 89283Runout B
ZTSP 89282Label A
ZTSP 89283Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records F-429XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429 / 20th Century Fox Records FOX 429First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 4297", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 429First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Jamaica | Stateside SS-240First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | Stateside SS 240First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | UK | Stateside SS 240First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 45-64297", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1966 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 64297", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1966 | US | 20th Century Fox Records 64297", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | US | TRIP MLS-8007", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1976 | US | Mistletoe Records MLS-8007", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1976 | US | Mistletoe Records MLS-8007", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records TC-24347", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records TC-2434-DJ7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records TK-11517", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | 20th Century Fox Records 64297", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Germany | 20th Century Fox Records IN 4004 / International IN 40047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | EMI SS-2407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Jamaica | Stateside SS-2407", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
29 vinyl pressings of The Little Drummer Boy / O' Holy Night are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1963 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Jamaica, Canada. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records 429, released September 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 429, SS 240, SS-240, F-429X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZTSP-89282-1AD and ZTSP-89283-1AE. 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.
