Vinyl pressings
by The Supremes · 1968
Forever Came Today 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.
25 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 12 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.
404M03 HQU-404M03 ARunout, side A, etched
W4KM-2668-1-JRunout, side A, stamped
DMV-008115 008115Runout, side B, etched
NO8W - 7461-1 N ⋉Runout, side B, stamped
HQU-404M03 W4KM-2668Side A Label
V-008115 M08W-7461Side B Label
HQU-404M03 W4KM-2668-2 G A1 S RA-side runout
DMV-008115 NO8W-7461-1 G A1 S RB-side runout
HQU-404M03 W4KM-2668A-side label
V-008115 NO8W-7461B-side label
W4KM-2668-2 K HQU-404M03-RE 10A side matrix code - runout
M08W -7461-1 M DMV-008115 10B side matrix code - runout
HQU-404M03A side matrix code - label
V-008115B side matrix code - label
HQU-404M03 W4KM-2668-2 A (S Sideways) IA-side runout
DMV-008115 NO8W-7461-1 D (S Sideways) IB-side runout
HQU-404M03 W4KM-2668A-side label
V-008115 NO8W-7461B-side label
MR (in a circle) W4KM-2668-1-G Triangle shape 70379 O HQU404MO3A-side runout
DMV-008115 MP (in a circle) (triangle) 70378 NO8W-7461-1 L OB-side runout
HQU-404M03A-side label
V-008115B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8311First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-8311First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | Canada | Tamla Motown M 1122First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Denmark | Tamla Motown TMG 650First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | France | Tamla Motown FT 124First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 25.757First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1968 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown TMM.676First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1968 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMK 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | South Africa | Tamla Motown TMJ 161First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | Sweden | Tamla Motown TMK 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 650First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 650First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Motown MOTOWN 1122First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1968 | US | Motown Motown 1122First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1968 | US | Motown M 1122First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Tamla Motown TMK 1097" | 7" |
| ? | Portugal | Tamla Motown TLM 5027", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of Forever Came Today are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Motown M-1122, released February 29, 1968.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M-1122, M 1122, MOTOWN 1122, MOT-1122) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 404M03 HQU-404M03 A and W4KM-2668-1-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.
