Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1973
A Motown Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
C4RS-7919-1-13B Tvc ASide A runout - etched
C4RS-7920-2-13A Tvc ASide B runout - etched
C4RS-7921-3-13A Tvc ASide C runout - etched
C4RS-7922-4-13B Tvc ASide D runout - etched
C4RS 7919 01A ~1 B2Side A runout stamped
C4RS 7920 01A 1~ A1Side B runout stamped
C4RS 7921 01B ~1 A3Side C runout stamped
C4RS 7922 01A 1~ A1Side D runout stamped
CARS-7919-1Side A label
CARS-7920-2Side B label
CARS-7921-3Side C label
CARS-7922-4Side D label
C4RS-7919-1-03B M795 V2 HA side
C4RS-7920-2-03A M795 V2 HB side
C4RS-7921-3-03A M795 V2 HC side
C4RS-7922-4-03A M795 V2 HD side
B1 C4RS 7919 01A - IRunout A
C4RS 7920 01A I - A1Runout B
C4RS 7921 01B I - A1Runout C
C4RS 7922 01A I - A1Runout D
M-795 C4RS 7919-1 1·03A [crossed out H]Side A runout - etched
M-795_C4RS-7920-2 2·03A [crossed out H]Side B runout - etched
M-795-7919Side A label
M-795-7920Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Philippines | Tamla Motown TM-2180First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Philippines | Tamla Motown TM-2181First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Korea | Motown M795V2 OLE-139First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M795V2 / Motown M795V2-1 DJFirst yearLP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M795V2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M795V2First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Motown M795V2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | US | Motown M795V2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1981 | US | Motown 5256ML2 / Motown MOT2-5256LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1982 | Canada | Motown M 256/2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | US | Motown B0027158-01 / UMe B0027158-01LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Motown MLP-4504LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown 5256ML2 / Motown MOT2-5256LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M795V2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | Motown 5256ML2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of A Motown Christmas are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1973 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Philippines, South Korea. One of them is Motown M795V2, released September 25, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M795V2, TM-2180, TM-2181, M795V2 OLE-139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C4RS-7919-1-13B Tvc A and C4RS-7920-2-13A Tvc A. 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.
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