Vinyl pressings
by The Monkees · 1969
Tear Drop City / A Man Without A Dream was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 15 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.
TZKS-4731-6S I A3Run-out side A, variant 1
XZKS-0123-5S A 3 IRun-out side B, variant 1
TZKS-4731-6S A2 IRun-out side A, variant 2
XZKS-0123-5S AI IRun-out side B, variant 2
TZKS--4731-30S[-B2A R]A-side runout, stamped except [etched], Variant 1
XZKS--0123-30S[-B2B R]B-side runout, stamped except [etched], Variant 1
TZKS-4731-3S 3AA-side runout, Variant 2
XZKS-123-3S 4SB-side runout, Variant 2
TZKS-4731
XZKS-0123
TZKS-4731-1S HSide A, variant 1
XZKS-0123-1S HSide B, variant 1
TZKS 4731 2S HSide A, variant 2
XZKS 0123 2S HSide B, variant 2
TZKS-4731-6S IVariant 1: A-Side stamp
XZKS-0123-5S A3 IVariant 1: B-Side stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Australia | RCA 66-5000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Australia | RCA 66-5000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1969 | Brazil | RCA Victor CGS-8009First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1969 | Canada | RCA Victor 66-5000First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Chile | RCA Victor SP 45 191First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Germany | RCA Victor 66-5000 / RCA 66-5000First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Greece | RCA Victor 44g 52006First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1969 | Japan | RCA SS-1871First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | Mexico | RCA Victor 76-2818First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 60472First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42.080First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42.080First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Spain | RCA Victor 3-10 385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1969 | Turkey | RCA 69909 / RCA Victor 69909First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1969 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1802First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | RCA Victor 32A-1465 / RCA Victor (SP 45 191)7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
26 vinyl pressings of Tear Drop City / A Man Without A Dream are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, UK, France, Australia and more. One of them is Colgems 66-5000, released February 8, 1969.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 66-5000, SP-45-191, RCA 1802, 49.957 L) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TZKS-4731-6S I A3 and XZKS-0123-5S A 3 I. 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.
