Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1987
A Very Special Christmas was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 21 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.
SPO-3911-A-SH2-DMM △ 18023 Precision SM 2-6Side A, variant 1
SPO-3911-B-SH3-DMM Precision SM △ 18023-X 2-10Side B, variant 1
SPO-3911-A-RE1 SH1 △ 18023 Precision 1-1Side A, etched, variant 2
SPO-3911-B-SH3-DMM Precision SM △ 18023-X 2-2Side B, etched, variant 2
SPO 3911 A RE1 SH1 G1 △18023 DMM Precision 1-8 H8Side A runout variant 1
SPO-3911-B-SH3 DMM G2 Precision SM △18023-X 2-14 N16Side B runout variant 1
SPO 3911 A RE1 SH1 (DELTA SYMBOL) 18023 Precision 1-6Side A Runout variant 2
SPO-3911-B-SH3-DMM 3-1 Precision SM (Delta symbol)18023-XSide B Runout variant 2
AMA-3911-A2 12 JASide A, etched
AMA-3911-B1 11 MTSide B, etched
AMA 3 911 A//3 ▽420 TSide A runout, stamped
AMA 3911 B//3 ▽420 TSide B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | A&M Records RML53252 / Festival Records RML53252First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-3911First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Brazil | A&M Records 393911-1 / A&M Records 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3911First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3911First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Ecuador | A&M Records LP-88042First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Europe | A&M Records 393 911-1 / A&M Records AMA 3911First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 393 911-1 / Polygram 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Greece | A&M Records 393 911-1 / Polygram 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1987 | Guatemala | A&M Records 393 911First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Mexico | A&M Records LPR 73033First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Philippines | A&M Records AML-87-1056 / A&M Records SP-3911First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | A&M Records 393 911-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | A&M Records A&M SP 3911 / A&M Records SP 3911LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | UMe B0025215-01 / A&M Records B0025215-01LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
29 vinyl pressings of A Very Special Christmas are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, South Korea and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-3911.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-3911, AMA 3911, C28Y3202, SEL-RA 374 / SP-3911) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPO-3911-A-SH2-DMM △ 18023 Precision SM 2-6 and SPO-3911-B-SH3-DMM Precision SM △ 18023-X 2-10. 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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