UPDATE HISTORY
2018
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 25:
This reissue CD came out last week on the Oldays label in Japan
The packaging is fantastic, like most Japanese releases.
OCTOBER 24:
I've learned that the picture sleeves with the thumb tabs were manufactured
by Bert-Co of Los Angeles
and mostly distributed with the records produced
at the Hollywood pressing plant.
The sleeves with the straight-cut top were manufactured by
Queens Litho of Edison, NJ
and Indianapolis, IN and
and were distributed
with the records produced at the Rockaway and Indianapolis pressing plants.
I can confirm that the sleeves with the less common thumb tab found on these
singles shipped with the records pressed at the Hollywood pressing plant.
These include:
There were a few records that were only sold with one type of sleeve (thumb tab or straight-cut).
It is speculated that perhaps either manufacturer was unable
to meet the
scheduling demands.
It is also possible
that RCA just decided
to use only one manufacturer
for the sleeves
and then distribute those nationally.
I've also updated the Colgems singles pages for font types, picture sleeve variations,
and pressing plants.
OCTOBER 20:
When I started collecting I noticed there were small differences in the Colgems labels
both for the singles and LPs. When I started this website I was stumped
at how to categorize them.
I tried using the
pressing plants as a guide
but there was too much overlap so that proved worthless.
I ended up using vague descriptions and divided them into 3 categories:
the Columbia/Screen Gems labels with the black lines or borders around the white areas,
those without the black lines and finally the Colgems circle symbol.
However I recently stumbled upon 45 sleeves.com (which had been down for a couple years),
and I wanted to give them props because they divided the label into four different versions.
So I used their idea and settled on calling them simply: Types 1-4.
For the singles I created this page which provides a good overview
for each label type, including the promotional records as well.
And the LPs on this page.
There can be alot of label variations:
For first LP, there is Jean vs Gene,
and on Headquarters "Randy Scouse Git"
had the early pressings credited as "Mickey Dolenz" which was later corrected.
This one is not as well known and no one pays more money for the misspelled versions.
I've recently discovered that RCA contracted with MGM and Mercury Records to press LPs
to meet the excessive demand for product. That's in addition
to the three regular RCA plants.
I have 15 different label variations
for "More of the Monkees" and
I haven't even found all of them yet. It's insane!
I also recently discovered more singles pressed on POLYstyrene instead of vinyl.
To date, I've found "Little Bit Me...", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", "Daydream Believer"
and "Porpoise Song" on polystyrene, could there be more?
Polystyrene was used when RCA (due to excessive demand for Monkees records)
used alternate pressing plants, such as the Allied Record company in Hollywood
or the Columbia's plant in Terra Haute.
I also revamped my description for the picture sleeves. I had previously called the
ones with thumb tabs 'west coast' and the straight edge 'east coast',
so I just simplified it calling them thumb tab A-side or thumb tab B-side vs. straight edge.
I've added the matrix codes to each page and all of them can be found here
with an explanation of what each character means.
OCTOBER 19:
Recent finds include these Australian picture sleeves with the
updated RCA symbols on the reverse:
It's likely RCA also reissued "I'm A Believer", "Alternate Title" & "D. W. Washburn"
but those haven't turned up yet.
These running changes speak to the continuing popularity of the Monkees there
as RCA needed to reissue their records to meet demand.
OCTOBER 19:
Added the Target exclusive version of the "Christmas Party" CD:
Both bonus songs sound fantastic!
OCTOBER 13:
Christmas Party CD
Get your copy today! or wait for the Target version next Friday.
OCTOBER 4:
An Introduction to the Monkees Vol. 2 will be released tomorrow.
I got an early copy. They list two songs, "Goin' Down"& "Listen To The Band"
as the single versions, but after a much more careful listening, they are not.
GD is mono and about the right length, but the mix is slightly different.