Vinyl pressings
by Joan Baez · 1963
We Shall Overcome was first pressed on vinyl in 1963. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PK4M- -6374- -1A RA side runout, variant 1
PK4M- -6375- -1A RB side runout, variant 1
PK4M- -6374- -1A RA side runout, variant 2
PK4M- -6375- -1A RB side runout, variant 2
PK4M- -6374- -1C HA side runout
PK4M- -6375- -1C HB side runout
PK4M 6374A side label
PK4M 6375B side label
PK4M- -6374- -1B IA side runout
PK4M- -6375- -1B IB side runout
PK4M 6374A side label
PK4M 6375B side label
271705 1FSide A label
271705 2FSide B label
A-7035-A2Side A Runout
A-7035-BSide B Runout
PK4M6374Side A Label
PK4M6375Side B Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Australia | Astor A-7035First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Austria | Amadeo AVRS EWP 15639 / Amadeo Österreichische Schallplatten Aktiengesellschaft VCP 1246First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Vanguard VRS 35023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166 / Amadeo 45-STU 42166First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Denmark | Amadeo STU. 42166 / Amadeo 45-STU 42166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Fontana TF 428 / Fontana 271705 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Vanguard VRS-35023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Vanguard VRS-35023First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Vanguard VRS-35023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Vanguard VRS-35023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1964 | Japan | Vanguard Hit-10137", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Denmark | Vanguard STU 421667", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of We Shall Overcome are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1963 and 1964.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Vanguard VRS-35023.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VRS-35023, TF 428, A-7035, AVRS EWP 15639) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PK4M- -6374- -1A R and PK4M- -6375- -1A 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.
