Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1966
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 8 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.
TK4M -3671-1 .B A 3 NII-192322 RA-side runout
TK4M -3679-1-B A 3 WII-192311 RB-side runout
NII-199322A-side label
TK4M-3671A-side label
NII-199322 (MR) ∆62797 K4M-3671-1 OA-side runout
NII-199322A-side label
WII-192311B-side label
NII-99322 [TK4M-3671-1-J ARP] ⋉Runout, side B, etched / [stamped]
WII-92311 [TK4M-3679-1-J ARP] ⋉Runout, side B, etched / [stamped]
NII-99322Label side A
WII-92311Label side B
NII-199322 [TK4M -3671-1 J ARP]Runout, side A, etched, / [stamped], variant 1
WII-1932M [TK4M -3679-1 J ARP] ⋉Runout, side B, etched, / [stamped], variant 1
NII-199322 [TK4M -3671-1 J ARP] ⋉Runout, side A, etched, / [stamped], variant 2
WII-1932M [TK4M -3679-1 J ARP] ⋉Runout, side B, etched, / [stamped], variant 2
NII-199322Side A
WII-192311Side B
NII-199322Side A
WII-192311Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Australia | Tamla Motown TMO-141First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Tamla Motown G-7055First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Tamla Motown 45TM 8003First year7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 45.263First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Norway | Tamla Motown TMG 578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | South Africa | Stateside JSS 1109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 578First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | US | Gordy GORDY 7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1966 | US | Gordy GORDY 7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Gordy G-7055First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown TM 70557", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Japan | Gordy GORDY 70557", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Beauty Is Only Skin Deep are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Gordy GORDY 7055, released May 3, 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GORDY 7055, G-7055, G 7055, TMG 578) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TK4M -3671-1 .B A 3 NII-192322 R and TK4M -3679-1-B A 3 WII-192311 R. 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.
