Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1968
I Heard It Through The Grapevine was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 13 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.
N-S-U-462S13 W4KM-5845-1 B ARPSide A runout, variant 1
R2-K-U-462S12 W4KM-6210-1 B ARPSide B runout, variant 1
N-S-u-462S13 ARP W4KM-5845-1 B ⋉Side A runout, variant 2
R2-K-u-462S12 ARP W4KM-6210-1 B ⋉Side B runout, variant 2
N-S-U-462S13Label A
R2-K-U-462S12Label B
W4KM-5845-1 E A1 N-S-U-462S13 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A runout, variant 1
W4KM-6210-1 E 1B R2-K-U-462S12 RSide B runout, variant 1
W4KM-5845-1 F A3E N-S-U-462S13 R ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄KSide A runout, variant 2
W4KM-6210-1 E A6A R2-K-U-462S12 RSide B runout, variant 2
W4KM-5815-1 Ω N-S-U-462S13 10A side runout
W4KM-6210-1 A Ω R2-K-U-462S12 10B side runout
N-S-U-462S13Side A Label
R2-K-U-462S12Side B Label
N-S-U-462S13Side A
W4KM-5845Side A
R2-K-U-462S12Side B
W4KM-6210Side B
W4KM-5845-1 0 N-S-U-462S13 (MR) △73821-XSide A runout
W4KM-6210-1 0 R2-K-U-462S12 (MR) △73821Side B runout
N-S-U-462S13Side A label
R2-K-U-462S12Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Tamla Motown TMS-0538 / Tamla Motown T-54176First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8596First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Barbados | Tamla Motown T-54176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown T-54176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | El Salvador | Tamla T-54176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Tamla Motown TM 54 176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | India | Tamla Motown ETM.14First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Italy | Tamla Motown TM 8037First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.705First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMJ-181First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMJ-181First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Turkey | Tamla Motown 68.855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Lebanon | Tamla Motown TA 70057", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
39 vinyl pressings of I Heard It Through The Grapevine are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Argentina, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Tamla T-54176, released November 30, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54176, T 54176, TMS-0538, TMO-8596) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N-S-U-462S13 W4KM-5845-1 B ARP and R2-K-U-462S12 W4KM-6210-1 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.
