Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1965
Pretty Little Baby was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1965, the album's first year, in 4 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.
R PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1-B A3A-side runout, variant 1
R WQV-140312 S4KM-7755-1-B A2B-side runout, variant 2
R PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1-B A2A-side runout, variant 2
R WLQ-140312 S4KM-7755-1-B A2B-side runout, variant 2
S 4KM-7742-1 ARP PLE-125105A side runout
S 4KM--7755-1 ARP WLQ140312B side runout
DM PLE-125105A side label
DM WQV-140312B side label
PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1-E Nashville Matrix 10Side A runout
WLQ-140312 S4KM-7755-1-E Nashville Matrix 10Side B runout
DM PLE-125105Side A label
DM WQV-140312Side B label
PLE-125105 △576523 S4KM-7742-1-DA-Side Label (Set 1)
WQV-140312 △57652 S4KM-7755-1-DB-Side Label (Set 1)
PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1- ISide A Runout variant 1
WLQ-140312 S4KM-7755-1-A ISide B Runout variant 1
PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1-A B1 ISide A Runout variant 2
WLQ-140312 S4KM-7755-1-A1 ISide B Runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Canada | Tamla Motown T-54117First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.614First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54117First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54117First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1965 | US | Tamla T-54117First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | US | Tamla T 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1965 | US | Tamla T-54117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1965 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 524First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1965 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 42 6127", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 541177", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Pretty Little Baby are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1965 and 1966.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Tamla Tamla 54117, released June 18, 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Tamla 54117, TAMLA 54117, T-54117, T 54117) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R PLE-125105 S4KM-7742-1-B A3 and R WQV-140312 S4KM-7755-1-B A2. 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.
