Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1985
Fables Of The Reconstruction was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
IRS-4535-SS3 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 1
IRS-4462-SS3 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1
IRS-4535-SS2 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 2
IRS-4462-SS2 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 2
IRS-4535 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 1
IRS-4462 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 1
IRS-4535-SS3 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 2
IRS-4462-SS4 STERLING ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 2
IRS-4535 552 STERLING 回-G-回 3Runout Side A, Variant 1
IRS-4462 551 STERLING 回-G-回 4Runout Side B, Variant 1
IRS-4535 SS1 STERLING 回-G-回 5Runout Side A, Variant 2
IRS-4462 SS2 STERLING 回-G-回 4Runout Side B, Variant 2
IRS 4535 SS1 STERLING 回-G-回 5Label, Side A
IRS 4462 SS1 STERLING 回-G-回Label, Side B
IRS- ̶4̶3̶ 45 35-SS3 STERLING JR ◈-P-◈ IRunout side A
IRS-4462-SS4 STERLING ◈-P-◈ IIIRunout side B
IRS-4535-SS6 STERLING ◈-P-◈Side A Etched/Stamped
IRS-4462-SS5 STERLING ◈-P-◈Side B Etched/Stamped
IRS4535Side A Label
IRS4462Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4495 / Epic ELPS 4495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | Illegal Records ELPS 4495First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Epic 144877First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | I.R.S. Records 713160 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5592LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5592First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1985 | Greece | I.R.S. Records 26525 / Illegal Records ILP 26525First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1985 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 28AP 3058First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 28AP 3058First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Epic ELPS 4495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Illegal Records ELPS 4495 / Epic ELPS 4495First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Portugal | I.R.S. Records ILP 26525First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Taiwan | CBS CBR-8516 / Himalaya Records CBR-8516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Europe | Simply Vinyl SVLP 151LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited |
| 1999 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 151LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | I.R.S. Records 509996 46071 15LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2010 | US | I.R.S. Records 46071-15 / Capitol Records 509996 46071 15LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Capitol Records 00602465172270 / UMe 00602465172270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | I.R.S. Records 602465172270 / Capitol Records 602465172270LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 465380 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 465380 / Illegal Records ILS-4653801LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | CBS CBS 465380 / Illegal Records ILS-4653801LP, Album | LP, Album |
44 vinyl pressings of Fables Of The Reconstruction are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Greece, Spain and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-5592, released June 10, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-5592, MIRF 1003, 26525, ILP 26525 (SP)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRS-4535-SS3 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈ and IRS-4462-SS3 STERLING ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
