Vinyl pressings
by They Might Be Giants · 1990
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 4 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.
EKR 110-A-1 H MT.Runout etched side A
EKR-110-B-1 K MT.Runout etched side B
EKR110 A* (7559-64966-7)Label A
EKR110 B* (7559-64966-7)Label B
EKR-110(T) A-1 MT BRunout side A, etched
EKR-110(T) B-1 MTRunout side B, etched
EKR-110(T) A-1 MT NRunout A
EKR- 110(T) B-1 MT MRunout B
ST-ED-5460 A-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Runout A
ST-ED-5460 B-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Runout B
ST-ED-5460A-SPLabel A
ST-ED-5460B-SPLabel B
STED-5463 A-1 V V Hit Factory DMS - cg ☮ YEAH RIGHT!!A-Side Runout Etching
STED-5463 B-1B-Side Runout Etching
SRCRunout Stamp Each 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ecuador | Elektra 85000-6First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Europe | Elektra EKR110TW / Elektra EKR 110 TWFirst year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | Europe | Elektra EKR110 / Elektra 7559-64966-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | Elektra EKR 110 T / Elektra EKR110TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | Elektra EKR110 / Elektra 7559-64966-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Elektra EKR 110 / Elektra 7559 64966-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Elektra EKR110 T / Elektra EKR 110 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Elektra EKR 110 TW / Elektra EKR 110TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | US | Elektra ED 5460First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | US | Elektra ED 5463First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Istanbul (Not Constantinople) are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Ecuador, Europe. One of them is Elektra EKR 110.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKR 110, EKR110 T, EKR 110 TW, ED 5460) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKR 110-A-1 H MT. and EKR-110-B-1 K MT.. 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.
