Vinyl pressings
by Edwin Starr · 1969
I'm Still A Struggling Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 4 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.
D-S-I-575M07.-RE [MR logo] X4KM-2738-2 △76442Side A runout
C-E1-I-444S04 [MR logo] △76356 X4KM-3372-1Side B runout
D-S-I-575M07Side A label
C-E1-I-444S04Side B label
D-S-I-575M07.-RE (MR) X4KM-2738-2 △76442 0Sides A & B etched runout
D-S-I-575M07Sides A & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8818First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1969 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8818First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown TM 25.999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G 7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1969 | US | Gordy G-7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1969 | Canada | Tamla Motown G–7087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of I'm Still A Struggling Man are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Netherlands, Canada, Australia. One of them is Gordy G-7087, released May 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G-7087, G 7087, TM 25.999, G–7087) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, D-S-I-575M07.-RE [MR logo] X4KM-2738-2 △76442 and C-E1-I-444S04 [MR logo] △76356 X4KM-3372-1. 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.
