Vinyl pressings
by The Elgins ยท 1967
It's Been A Long Long Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1967. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1967, the album's first year, in 5 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.
FD-SO-333M03 ๐๐ก๐ U4KM-6080-1 B 333MO3 โSide A runout
HIX-204314 TK4M-6001-1 B ๐๐ก๐Side B runout
FD-SO-333M03Side A label
HIX-204314Side B label
FD-SO-333M03Side A label
HIX-204314Side B label
HIX-204314 TK4M-6001-1 A Nashville Matrix 10A runout etched / stamped
FD-SO-333M03 Nahville Matrix 10 U4KM-6080-1 A ฮฉB runout etched / stamped
HIX-204314A label
FD-SO-333M03B label
TMG 615 A-1 KTA runout
TMG 615 B-1 KTB runout
TMG 615 AA label
TMG 615 BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Barbados | Tamla MotownFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1967 | Canada | Tamla Motown V-25043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.623First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | V.I.P. V.I.P.-25043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | US | V.I.P. V.I.P. 25043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo |
| 1967 | US | V.I.P. V.I.P.-25043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo |
| 1967 | US | V.I.P. V.I.P.-25043First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | US | V.I.P. V.I.P. 25043First year7", 45 RPM, Mono ยท Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono ยท Mono |
| 1967 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 615First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo ยท Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of It's Been A Long Long Time are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1967, in US, UK, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is V.I.P. V.I.P.-25043.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V.I.P.-25043, V.I.P. 25043, TMG 615, V-25043) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FD-SO-333M03 ๐๐ก๐ U4KM-6080-1 B 333MO3 โ and HIX-204314 TK4M-6001-1 B ๐๐ก๐. 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.
