USA Colgems Albums
The Monkees


COM/COS-101

Released In September 1966
Highest Chart Position:
Billboard: 1
Cash Box: 1
Record World: 1

Mono: $3.79
Stereo: $4.79

RIAA Certification:
Gold: October 1966
5x Platinum: August 1994

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Billboard Ad


TV Guide Ad

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Promo Press Kit For 1st LP
This was widely mailed out to the press in
September 1966

 

 


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Stereo copies of the first 3 LPs are harder to find
as mono was produced and sold in far greater quantities.

In addition, the STEREO LP with the mistake spelling of "Jean's" is harder to find.

 

the mistaken song title
"Papa Jean's Blues"

 

COM-101


Mono

 

COS-101


Stereo


The mistake shows up on both sides of the jacket, leading to...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

the corrected song title
"Papa Gene's Blues"

 

COM-101 RE


Mono

 

COS-101 RE


Stereo

 


Notice the small "RE" in the lower left-hand corner.

 


With the corrected song title an "RE" is added to the catalog number.

RCA used the "RE" (revised) after the catalog number to indicate
that there had been a change to the album jacket.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

1968 Repress

COM-101 RE2


(no pictures)

Mono

 

COS-101 RE2


Stereo

 


With the change on the back cover the catalog number advances to RE2.

 

Original Back Cover:

Compared to.....

 

1968 Back Cover:

This updated copyright puts the release between their Pisces LP (November 1967)
and Instant Replay (February 1969).
More about these changes.


This version is easy to spot with the big Colgems circle logo
in the bottom right-hand corner.

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Labels

Matrix Codes:

TZRM - 4687/ 4688
TZRS - 4689/ 4690


RCA Pressing Plant
Hollywood, CA

Mono

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Stereo

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Mono

Type 1 Label "Gene"

 

Mono

Type 2 Label

 

Stereo

Type 2 Label

 

Stereo

Type 3 Label

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RCA Pressing Plant
Indianapolis, IN

Mono

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Stereo

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Mono

Type 1 Label "Gene"

 

Stereo

Type 2 Label

 

Stereo

Type 3 Label

 

Stereo

Type 3 Label
26mm Press Rings

Beginning sometime in 1968, RCA began to change their manufacturing
processes transitioning from the "deep groove" 70mm
to the smaller 26mm pressing rings.

=======================

Due to the extremely high demand for the Monkees records
RCA subcontracted with other pressing plants.

 

MCA PRESSING PLANT?

The pressing rings are 25mm but there is no mark
in the dead wax to indicate a pressing plant, so these are not confirmed.

------------------------------------------------

MGM PRessing Plant
Bloomfield, NJ

Mono

Type 1 Label "Gene"

Side one has an "R" & side two has the block "S";
which confirms that they got their metal stampers
from the nearby Rockaway plant.

The pressing rings are 32mm wide.

 

Mono

Type 2 Label "Jean"

Extraordinary find: an MGM "Jean" on a type 2 label.

This is the first found "Jean" on a contract pressing & the mistaken song title
is also on a later label type - probably pressed in December '66.

=============================

RCA Pressing Plant
Rockaway, NJ

Mono

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Stereo

Type 1 Label "Jean"

 

Stereo

Type 1 Label "Gene"

 

Stereo

Type 2 Label

 

Stereo

Type 3 Label

 

The Four Label Types

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Unused label

COM-101

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Promo Stamps


Red Ink Stamp

 


Standard RCA Stamp

 

Acetate Record