Vinyl pressings
by David Seville · 1958
Witch Doctor was first pressed on vinyl in 1958. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1958, the album's first year, in 13 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.
45-LB-834-2A [C3 R]Side A - Etched, except [stamped], Variant 1
45LB-835-1 [A4 R]Side B - Etched, except [stamped], Variant 1
45-LB-834 [45-LB-834]Side A - Etched, except [stamped], Variant 2
45-LB-835 [45-LB-835]Side B - Etched, except [stamped], Variant 2
45-LB-834 1B I B 2Runout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 1
45-LB-835 I1 A I C 2Runout - Stamped - Side B, Variant 1
45-LB-834 I2 A I ARunout - Stamped - Side A, Variant 2
45-LB-835 I2 A I 02Runout - Stamped - Side B, Variant 2
45-LB-334 HRun-out Side A, stamped
45-LB-335 HRun-out Side B, stamped
45-LB-834 ② △20998Runout Side A, etched
45-LB-835 ① △20999Runout Side B, etched
45-LB-834Matrix - Center Label - Side A
45-LB-835Matrix - Center Label - Side B
LB-834 △ 21000 : IIRunout, side A, etched
LB-835 △ 21001 : IIRunout, side B, etched
LB-834Label side A
LB-835Label side B
LB 834Runout, side A, etched
LB 835Runout, side B, etched
FM 6587Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Australia | London Records 45-HL-1349First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1958 | Australia | London Records 78-HL 1349First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Brazil | London Records 7LA-501First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Canada | London Liberty LI.55132First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Canada | London Liberty F. 55132First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Finland | London Records 45-HLU 8619First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Germany | London Records DL 20 171First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Greece | London Records 45-HLUFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | India | London American Recordings HL-U,8619First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1958 | Italy | London Records 45-HL 8619First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | Japan | London Records LED-86First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.319First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.319First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records 45-NZL.319First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1958 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.319First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
28 vinyl pressings of Witch Doctor are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1958, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Liberty F-55132.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-55132, 55132, HL-U.8619, 45-HLU 8619) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-LB-834-2A [C3 R] and 45LB-835-1 [A4 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.
