Vinyl pressings
by Marvin Gaye · 1963
Can I Get A Witness 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.
15 pressings came out in 1963, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ARP Nashville Matrix DMV-049225 10A-Side Runout Etching
ARP Nashville Matrix DMV-047315 10B-Side Runout Etching
DM V-049225A-Side Label
DM V-047315B-Side Label
MR DMV-049225 △49542 MRA-side runout
MR DMV-047315 △49543 MRB-side runout
DM V-049225A-side label
DM V-047315B-side label
PK4M-5053-1B RA Runout
PK4M-5054-1C A2 RB Runout
PK4M-5053-1C AZ RA Side Runout [Variant 2]
PK4M-5054-1C A2 RB Side Runout [Variant 2]
PK4M-5053-1A IA Runout
PK4M-5054-1 IB Runout
DM V-049225A Label
DM V-047315B Label
DMV-049225 10 Nashville MatrixA runout etched / stamped
DMV-047315 10 Nashville MatrixB runout etched / stamped
DMV-049225A label
DMV-047315B 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 | His Master's Voice EA-4609First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Canada | Tamla T-54087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | Germany | CBS 1308First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | Greece | Music-Box MB 9015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1963 | Italy | Durium Marche Estere DE. 2533 / Durium Marche Estere DE 2533First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | New Zealand | Stateside MSS2048First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | UK | Stateside SS 243First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Tamla TAMLA-54087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-540877", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1963 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1963 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54087First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-540877", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1963 | US | Tamla T-54087First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | US | Tamla T-540877", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Can I Get A Witness are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1963 and 1970.
The earliest pressings are from 1963, in US, UK, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Tamla T-54087, released September 20, 1963.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-54087, TAMLA-54087, TAMLA 54087, SS 243) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARP Nashville Matrix DMV-049225 10 and ARP Nashville Matrix DMV-047315 10. 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.
