Vinyl pressings
by Kim Weston · 1966
Helpless was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1966, 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.
HVV-175320 [T4KM 1797-7-B ARP]Runout, side A, etched, except [stamped] - variant 1
HLX-168305 [T4KM 1798-1-B ARP]Runout, side B, etched, except [stamped] - variant 1
[ARP] HVV-175320 [T4KM 1797-1-B] ⋉A runout etched / [stamped] - variant 2
[T4KM 1798-1-B ARP] HLX-168305 ⋉B runout etched / [stamped] - variant 2
HVV-175320Label Side A
HLX-168305Label Side B
HVV-175320Label Side A
HLX-168305Label Side B
HVV-175320 (etched) T4KM 1797-1 (stamped)Side A
HLX-168305 (etched) T4KM 1798-1 (stamped)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Canada | Tamla Motown G-7050First year7" | 7" |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G 7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G 7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 554First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 554First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Gordy G-70507", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
11 vinyl pressings of Helpless are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Gordy G-7050, released February 14, 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use G-7050, G 7050, TMG 554) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HVV-175320 [T4KM 1797-7-B ARP] and HLX-168305 [T4KM 1798-1-B ARP]. 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.
