Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1977
Father Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
ARISTA 153 A//1 M 1 1 3 A PORKY PRIME XMAS CUTRunout side A variant 1
ARISTA 153 B//2 M 1 1 6 PECKORunout side B variant 1
ARISTA 153 A // 1 M 1 1 6 A PORKY PRIME XMAS CUTRunout side A variant 2
ARISTA 153 B // 1 M 1 1 4 PECKORunout side B variant 2
ARISTA 153 A//1 M 1 1 1 A PORKY PRIME XMAS CUTSide A
ARISTA 153 B//2 M 1 1 2 PECKOSide B
2510-S X MASTERDISK RLSide A runout
2511-S XSide B runout
T 2510-S I MASTERDISK RL TIEtched Side A, except MASTERDISK stamped
T 2511-S -I TIEtched Side B
2510-SLabel Side A
2511-SLabel Side B
P 2510-S X MASTERDISK RLSide A runout
P 2511-S XSide B runout
2510-SSide A label
2511-SSide B label
2510-S1-A MASTERDISK RLA-side Runout (Variant 1)
2511-S-1BB-side Runout (Variant 1)
2510-S X MASTERDISK RLA-side Runout (Variant 2)
2511-SB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Belgium | Arista 4C 006-60283First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Arista 2C 006-60283 / Arista 2C 006-60.283First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Arista 1C 006-60 283 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-60 283First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | Arista 1C 006-60 283 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-60 2837", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Arista 5N 006-60283First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Arista 5N 006-60283 / Arista 5N 006N-60283First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Arista ARISTA 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Arista AS 0296First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Master Room7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of Father Christmas are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, New Zealand, Belgium and more. One of them is Arista ARISTA 153, released November 25, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARISTA 153, AS 0296, BL 348, 4C 006-60283) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARISTA 153 A//1 M 1 1 3 A PORKY PRIME XMAS CUT and ARISTA 153 B//2 M 1 1 6 PECKO. 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.
