Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1964
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1964. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 2 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.
1 TM-252 H̶-̶1̶2̶8̶4̶ TM-252-A 1 R̶4̶R̶M̶-̶3̶8̶3̶4̶-̶1̶ F o T 1-S 4-1 HSide A runout
TM-252 D-11 S-2 H̶-̶1̶2̶8̶5̶ o TM-252-B 1 R̶4̶R̶M̶-̶3̶8̶3̶5̶-̶1̶ FSide B runout
H 1284 R4RM 3834Side A label
H 1285 R4RM 3835Side B label
-R4RM-3934-1-K A1 H-1284 R TM-252Runout, Side 1 Note: H-1284 and TM-252 is handwritten etching, variant 1
R4RM-3835-1 OD 8Runout, Side 2 Note: Also has a symbol type etching, variant 1
-R4RM-3934-1 A1 R (symbol)Runout, Side 1, variant 2
R4RM-3835-1 B A1 R (symbol)Runout, Side 2, variant 2
HS 1284Side A Label
S4RS-4719Side A Label
HS 1285Side B Label
S4RS-4720Side B Label
R4RM-3834-1-M [stamped] T 252-A TM-252-A [etched, M scratched out]Side A Runout
R4RM-3835-1-H [stamped] TM-252-B [etched]Side B Runout
H 1284Side A Label
H 1285Side B Label
H R4RM-3834-1 DSide A runout
H R4RM-3835-1 DSide B runout
H 1284Side A Label
H 1285Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla TM-252First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla TM 252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla TM 252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla T 252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TM 252 / Tamla T-252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla S-252First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TS 252First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla 252 / Tamla T 252First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TM-252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TM-252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TM-252 / Tamla TAMLA 252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla S-252 / Tamla TS-252First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla S-252 / Tamla TS-252First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla TM 252 / Tamla T-252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-252 / Tamla T 252First yearLP, Compilation, Mono · Mono | LP, Compilation, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Tamla S-252LP, Compilation, Stereo, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Stereo, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 054-91578 / Tamla TS 252LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Sweden | Tamla S-252LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Tamla T7-252-R 1 / Tamla TS-252LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Tamla T252V1 / Tamla TS-252LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1964 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, Canada. One of them is Tamla T-252, released April 15, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-252, TM 252, S-252, TS 252) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 TM-252 H̶-̶1̶2̶8̶4̶ TM-252-A 1 R̶4̶R̶M̶-̶3̶8̶3̶4̶-̶1̶ F o T 1-S 4-1 H and TM-252 D-11 S-2 H̶-̶1̶2̶8̶5̶ o TM-252-B 1 R̶4̶R̶M̶-̶3̶8̶3̶5̶-̶1̶ F. 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.
