Vinyl pressings
by The Singers Unlimited · 1972
Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
0666 031 S1 20 20904 0 S1 ℗ 1972 320Runout, Side A
0666 031 S2 20 20904 0 S2 ℗ 1972 320Runout, Side B
0666 031 S 1Center label, side A
0666 031 S 2Center label, side B
0666 031 S1 20 20904 0 S1 ℗ 1972 320 3Runout, Side A
0666 031 S2 20 20904 0 S2 ℗ 1972 320 3Runout, Side B
20-20904-6On Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Europe | MPS Records 20 20904-0 / BASF 20 20904-0First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | MPS Records 20 20904-0 / BASF 20 20904-0First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | MPS Records MB 20904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | BASF MB-20904 / MPS Records MB-20904First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | MPS Records RP-7001-MPLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | BASF BSF 3099LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | BASF G20904 / MPS Records G20904LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Japan | MPS Records KUX-138-PLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Pausa Records PR 7079LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | MPS Records ULS-6070-PLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | MPS Records ULX-6-PLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | MPS Records 23MJ 3424LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | MPS Records 0209875MSW / Edel 0209875MSWLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MPS Records 68 105 / Carinia Records 68 105LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records DC 209 040 / BASF DC 209 040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MPS Records 0068.105 / MPS Records MPS 14.296LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | Germany | Verve Records 821 859-1LP | LP |
| ? | Germany | Fono-Ring SFGLP 78 316LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Netherlands | MPS Records 5D 064-99443 / Delta 5D 064-99443LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Verve Records 821 859-1LP | LP |
20 vinyl pressings of Christmas are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1972 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in Germany, US, Europe. One of them is MPS Records 20 20904-0.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 20 20904-0, MB 20904, MB-20904) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0666 031 S1 20 20904 0 S1 ℗ 1972 320 and 0666 031 S2 20 20904 0 S2 ℗ 1972 320. 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.
