Vinyl pressings
by The Buggles · 1980
Elstree was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
WIP 6624 A - 2U STRAWBERRY 17 1Runout, side A, stamped, variant 1
WIP 6624 B - 1U 12 2Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
WIP 6624 A - 1U STRAWBERRY G 1Runout, side A, stamped, variant 2
WIP 6624 B - 1U 14 2Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
WIP 6624 A - 1U STRAWBERRY 5 1Runout A, stamped
WIP 6624 B - 1U 0 1Runout B, stamped
WIP 6624 A - 2U 7 1 1 STRAWBERRYRunout A, stamped
WIP 6624 B - 1U 2 1Runout B, stamped
ILPS-9585-B2SA label
WIP-6540-BB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Island Records K-8149 / Island Records WIP-6624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Austria | Island Records 102 386 / Island Records 102 386-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Island Records 102 386First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Island Records 6010 259First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 102 386 / Island Records 102 386-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26624First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 102 386 - 100 / Island Records 102 386First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Island Records K8149First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records WIP 6624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records WIP 6624DJFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records WIP 6624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Island Records WIP 6624First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-17014First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-17014First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Island Records I-1407", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Elstree are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Japan, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Island Records WIP 6624.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6624, WIP 6624DJ, ILS-17014, K-8149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 6624 A - 2U STRAWBERRY 17 1 and WIP 6624 B - 1U 12 2. 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.
