VinylAI 
Data as of Sep 4, 2026
Don Gibson – Sea Of Heartbreak
1961 · US · RCA Victor · Vinyl 7" 45 RPM
Offers · 1
- $4ref VA-SWXXAMedia G+ · Good PlusSleeve P🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- M2WW-0620M2 WW0620-3S A1 R
- Runout — side B
- M2WW-0618M2 WW0618-3S A1 R
- Pressed By
- RCA Records Pressing Plant, Rockaway
Specifications
- Artist
- Don Gibson
- Style
- Country
- Year
- 1961
- Label
- RCA Victor
- Catalog number
- 47-7890
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- ASea Of Heartbreak2:29
- BI Think It's Best (To Forget Me)2:18
- Producer
- Chet Atkins
About this record
Pressed at RCA Records' Rockaway plant in 1961, this 45 carries the matrix codes M2WW-0620 and M2WW-0618 in the dead wax—a marker of first-pressing American stock. With 329 collectors owning it against 43 wanting one, supply comfortably exceeds demand, which shapes its modest market position among country 45s of the era.
What drives its value
The price spread on this RCA Victor 45 reflects its availability: copies in Mint condition command a premium, while VG+ and VG grades trail significantly. The 329 have-to-43-want ratio indicates this is not a scarce title—original US pressings from 1961 turn up regularly in bulk lots and estate sales.
An Australian RCA pressing (catalogue 101093) exists from the same year, but the American Rockaway plant pressing dominates collector interest. Condition sorting matters here: a Mint copy will fetch more than a VG example, but the gap is not extreme because supply is steady.
The 3.8 community rating across 15 votes suggests solid but not exceptional collector regard for the pressing itself.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this is the US original by checking the label: RCA Victor, catalogue 47-7890, and verify the dead-wax etchings read M2WW-0620 on one side and M2WW-0618 on the reverse. The Rockaway plant credit should appear in the runout groove.
The record is a 7-inch 45 RPM single with two tracks. Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light: Mint means unplayed with no visible marks; VG+ shows light surface wear but plays cleanly; VG exhibits noticeable light scratches and some surface noise.
Check the label for water damage, foxing, or ink wear—common on 45s stored in damp conditions. The absence of a barcode confirms pre-UPC era manufacture.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
How do I tell the US pressing from the Australian one?
The US original carries RCA Victor on the label with catalogue 47-7890 and the Rockaway plant matrix codes (M2WW-0620 / M2WW-0618) in the runout. The Australian pressing is labelled RCA with catalogue 101093 and will have different matrix codes. The US pressing is the first edition.
Is this a rare 45?
No. With 329 collectors reporting ownership against 43 seeking one, this is well-stocked in the secondary market. Original 1961 RCA pressings from Rockaway appear regularly, especially in mixed lots. Scarcity is not a value driver here.
What condition should I expect to find?
Most copies encountered are VG or VG+ because 45s of this vintage were played and stored casually for decades. Mint unplayed examples are uncommon but not rare. VG+ copies with light surface wear and clean playback are the realistic sweet spot for collectors balancing condition and cost.
Does the pressing plant matter for value?
The Rockaway plant pressing is the original US release and commands the primary collector interest. The Australian RCA pressing from the same year is a separate issue and typically valued lower due to regional market preference for US originals. Verifying the Rockaway matrix codes confirms you hold the first pressing.
Why would I choose this 45 over a reissue?
The 1961 Rockaway pressing is the original artifact. Collectors of Don Gibson or country 45s from the early 1960s seek the first pressing for its historical authenticity and the specific sound characteristics of that plant and era. Reissues, if they exist, are later products with different matrices and labels.