Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1964
How Sweet It Is 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.
20 pressings came out in 1964, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ARP HLV-099205 Nashville Matrix 10Runout, side A, variant 1
ARP HVV-104302 Nashville Matrix 10Runout, side B, variant 1
ARP HLV-099205 Nashville Matrix 10 RK4M-2673-1Runout, side A, variant 2
ARP HVV-104302 Nashville Matrix 10 RK4M- 6507-1Runout, side B, variant 2
RStamped onto deadwax on both sides
DM HLV-099205 / RK4M 2673A side label
RK4M -2673-1-B(stamped) A(etched)1(stamped)A side deadwax
DM HVV-104302 / RK4M 6507B side label
RK4M-2673 -1 J IA-side runout, stamped
RK4M-6507-1-A A1 IB-side runout, stamped
DM HLV-099205 RK4M-2673A-side label
DM HVV-104302 RK4M-6507B-side label
RK4M -2673-1-DSide A stamped
HLV-099205 △54856Sides A etched
RK4M -6507-1-Side B stamped
HVV-104302 △54857Side B etched
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 | Australia | Stateside OSS-158First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Brazil | Fermata FB-3387 / Tamla T-54107First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1964 | Canada | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | Japan | Globe JET-1505First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS.2085First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1964 | UK | Stateside SS 360First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | UK | Stateside SS 360First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T 54107First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T-54107First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | US | Tamla Tamla 54107First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1964 | US | Tamla T 54107First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Stateside JSS 10437", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Tamla T-541077", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
26 vinyl pressings of How Sweet It Is are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1964 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1964, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Tamla T-54107, released November 4, 1964.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54107, T 54107, Tamla 54107, TAMLA 54107) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP HLV-099205 Nashville Matrix 10 and ARP HVV-104302 Nashville Matrix 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.
