Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1968
Keep On Lovin’ Me Honey 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.
15 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 6 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.
S1-A1-E1-I-445S10-3 W4KM-5240-2Side A runout, variant 1
FD-K-I-445S09 W4KM-5241-1 JSide B runout, variant 1
S1-A1-E1-I-445S10 ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K W4KM-5240-1 J ⋊ ARPSide A runout, variant 2
FD-K-I-445S09 ARP W4KM-5241-1 J ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄ǀ⁄|⁄K ⋊Side B runout, variant 2
W4KM-5240-1 G MR S1-A1-E1-I-445S10 △73181-XA-side runout, stamped and etched
W4KM-5241-1 G MR FD-K-I-445S09 △73181B-side runout, stamped and etched
S1-A1-E1-1-445S10A-side label
FD-K-I-445-S09B-side label
S1-A1-E1-I-445S10Label A-Side
W4KM-5240Label A-Side
FD-K-I-445S09Label B-Side
W4KM-5241Label B-Side
W4KM-5240-1Stamped Side-A
C D 1 S1-A1-E1-I-445S10 R >/WMEtched Side-A
W4KM-5240-1Stamped Side-B
D A2 S1-A1-FO-K-I-445S09 R >/WMEtched Side-B
W4KM-5240-1Stamped Side-A
C D 1 S1-A1-E1-I-445S10 R >/WMEtched Side-A
W4KM-5240-1Stamped Side-B
D A2 S1-A1-FO-K-I-445S09 R >/WMEtched Side-B
S1-A1-E1-I-445S10Label A-Side
W4KM-5240Label A-Side
FD-K-I-445S09Label B-Side
W4KM-5241Label B-Side
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 | France | Tamla Motown FT 148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Germany | Tamla Motown TM 54 173First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Lebanon | Tamla TA 7006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.699First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T 54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T 54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Tamla T-54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.858 / Tamla Motown TAMLA 54173First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Mono · Mono |
18 vinyl pressings of Keep On Lovin’ Me Honey are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, Netherlands, France, Germany and more. One of them is Tamla T-54173, released October 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54173, T 54173, T-54173 DJ, GO 25.858) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1-A1-E1-I-445S10-3 W4KM-5240-2 and FD-K-I-445S09 W4KM-5241-1 J. 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.
