Vinyl pressings
by Spooky Tooth · 1973
Witness was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
ILPS 9255 A-1U H (turned left 90°) STERLINGA-side, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9255 B-1U GG (turned right 90°) STERLINGB-side, stamped, variant 1
ILPS 9255 A-1U GO STERLING 2A-side, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9255 B-1U STERLING GG 1A-side, stamped, variant 2
ILPS 9255 A-1U (turned left 90°) STERLINGA-side, stamped
ILPS 9255 B-1U (turned right 90°) STERLINGB-side, stamped
ILPS.9255-AA-side, center label
ILPS.9255-BB-side, center label
SW-1-9337 Z5 7 STERLING LH-2 0Runout A, variant 1
SW-2-9337 Z6 8 STERLING 0Runout B, variant 1
SW-S̶M̶A̶S̶-1-9337 Z5 #5 STERLING LH-2 0Runout A, variant 2
SW-S̶M̶A̶S̶-2-9337 Z6 #7 STERLING 0Runout B, variant 2
SW-1-9337 Z3 2Etched Runout A, Variant 1
SW-2-9337 Z4 2Etched Runout B, Variant 1
SW-SMAS-1-9337 Z4• 2Etched Runout A, Variant 2, "SMAS" is scribbled out
SW-SMAS-2-9337 Z4• 2Etched Runout B, Variant 2, "SMAS" is scribbled out
SW 1-9337A-side, center label
SW 2-9337B-side, center label
SMAS-2(crossed out)1-9337 Z1 —◁ STERLINGA-side
SMAS-2-9337 Z1 —◁ STERLINGB-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Island Records L-35,053First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Austria | Island Records 87 332 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Island Records 410.040 / Island Records 410 040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Island Records SW-9337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Island Records 6499786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 87 332 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Island Records 87 332 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | Island Records ILPS 9255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Island Records 87332-IFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records 6499 786First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Island Records 87 332 IT / Island Records ILPS 9255First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Island Records SW-9337First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Island Records SW-9337First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Island Records 470 900-9LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Singapore | Island Records ILPS 9255LP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Witness are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1973 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9255.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9255, 6499 786, 87 332 IT, SW-9337) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9255 A-1U H (turned left 90°) STERLING and ILPS 9255 B-1U GG (turned right 90°) STERLING. 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.
