Vinyl pressings
by The Marvelettes · 1963
Forever was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1963, 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.
MR P4KM-4613-1DSide A runout stamped (D is etched)
45DMV-022303 Δ46731Side A runout etched
MR P4KM-1581-Side B runout stamped
45DMV019315 Δ46730Side B runout etched
45DMV-022303 P4KM-4613-1 D /\46731 MRSide A Runout - Etched / Machine Stamped
45 DMV-019315 P4KM-1581-1D /\46730 MRSide B Runout - Etched / Machine Stamped
DM V-022303Side A Label
DM V-019315Side B Label
DM V-022303Side A Label
DM V-019315Side B Label
DM V-022303Side A Label
DM V-022307Side B Label
DM V-022303Side A Label
DM V-022307Side B Label
DMV. 022303 10 Nashville Matrix P4KM-4613-1 ESide A runout, variant 1
DMV. 019315 10 Nashville Matrix P4KM-1581- 1ESide B runout, variant 1
DMV. 022303 10 Nashville Matrix P4KM-4613-1 ESide A runout, variant 2
DMV-019315 10 Ω Nashville MatrixSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Canada | Tamla TAMLA 54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Tamla T 54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-540777", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54077First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | US | Motown Y 507F7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1973 | US | Motown Y 507F7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | US | Motown MOT-5077", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Tamla T-540777", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables COL-5077", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Tamla T-540777", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of Forever are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1963 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Netherlands, Canada. One of them is Tamla TAMLA 54077, released February 15, 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TAMLA 54077, T-54077, 45-CBA 1817, GO 42.552) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR P4KM-4613-1D and 45DMV-022303 Δ46731. 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.
