Vinyl pressings
by The Philadelphia Orchestra · 1962
The Glorious Sound Of Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 3 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.
XXSM-57000-1L CIIIIIIIIIVariant 1 runout A stamped [IIIIIIIII etched]
XXSM-57001-1L T FIIVariant 1 runout B stamped [II etched]
XXSM-57000-1J D TVariant 2 runout A stamped (T is sideways)
XXSM-57001-1F DVariant 2 runout B stamped
XXLP-56998-1F IIIII oSide 1 runout
XXLP-56999-1BJ IIIII oSide 2 runout
x"Lp"56998Side 1 label
x"Lp"56999Side 2 label
XXSM-57000-1C HIIIStamped Side A, except "HIII" etched
XXSM-57001-1C HIIIStamped Side A, except "HIII" etched
XSM 57000Label Side A
XSM 57001Label Side B
SBPG 62163 A1Runout side A, stamped
SBPG 62163 B1Runout side B, stamped
SBPG 62163 ALabel side A
SBPG 62163 BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Canada | Columbia Masterworks ML 5769First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | UK | CBS 62163 / CBS SBPG 62163First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks ML 5769First yearLP, Mono · Mono | LP, Mono · Mono |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1962 | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1963 | Philippines | CBS MS 6369LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS Masterworks KLCS 2821 / CBS KLCS-2821LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Columbia Masterworks XMS 6369LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | South Africa | CBS Masterworks BLD.7213LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks MS 6369LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of The Glorious Sound Of Christmas are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1962 and 1963.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Columbia Masterworks MS 6369.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 6369, ML 5769, 62163) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XXSM-57000-1L CIIIIIIIII and XXSM-57001-1L T FII. 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.
