Parlophone - Biography

Biography - Parlophone

Australia

The Parlophone Co. Ltd. began pressing their records at the Columbia factory in Homebush in 1926. In 1931, they became part of EMI.

Columbia and Parlophone merged with The Gramophone Company (HMV) in 1931, moving to Columbia's factory in Homebush.

Attempts to restrict the broadcasting of records began in October, 1931, by the Columbia, HMV and Parlophone companies. Record labels adopted the phrase "Must not be used for radio broadcasting nor publicly performed" about a month later.

DISCOGRAPHY

A great discography can be found at www.78rpm.net.nz.

Along with the Parlophone label, they also pressed: Kismet, and Odeon.

A 2000 10" Series

This was the main catalogue series used for 10-inch records. The first 108 issues were pressed in UK, the series continuing in Australia.

At the end of 1934, numbering jumped from A 3999 to A 6000. Ended around A7973. Initially used a red label, then purple label from 1928.

A 4000 12" Series

Purple label.

A 5000 12" Series

Black label.

AR100 10" Series

Introduced in 1927 with records recorded during the Royal Visit to New Zealand detailed below. Blue label, mostly consisting of Richard Tauber.

AR1000 12" Series

Blue label.

Maori Records

To make the most of the Royal Visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand in February, 1927, Parlophone sent over a mobile recorder to record "the Maoris". These were issued on AR100 - AR107 and had a special "Maori Chief" label.

Around September, 1929, Parlophone brought Ana Hato, soprano, and Deane Waretini, baritone, to Sydney and made a number of eletrical recordings at the Homebush studio.

The first of these records were introduced in October, 1929. These were issued on A2800 - 2807 and had a slightly different version of the "Maori Chief" label.

GAA5000 10" Series

Short lived, late '50s Greek series. GAA5001 to GAA5053.

TTA1000 10" Series

Short lived, late '50s Italian series. TTA1001 to TTA1008.

LABELOGRAPHY

- Red Label -

1926~27 (seen here)
Initial labels were bright red with "Made in Australia" around the bottom border line. The design is very uncommon and is comparable to the UK label design. Like Columbia, it's most likely the result of bringing stock labels with them from UK.

1927 (seen here)
Darker red, "Made in Australia" line slightly bigger and more spaced out. (* Initial releases may still be bright red)

- Purple Label -

1927-28 (seen here)
Right of spindle hole reads "Parlophone Co. Ltd. Made in Australia", left side has a patent/price statement.

1928-30 (seen here)
Made in Australia details now on the left side of label, under the patent info, allowing royalty stamps to be placed on the right.

1930-31 (seen here)
A strobe border design was introduced, and a statement regarding its registration was added below the company details.
(* The statement regarding the registered border design does not appear on some labels. Not sure why)

1931-36 (seen here)
At the end of 1931, the statement "Must Not Be Used For Radio Broadcasting Nor Publicly Performed" was added around the inside of the bottom border. The patent details were moved around the inside of the top border, and the company details now read: "Made in Australia For Parlophone Co. Ltd."

1936-39 (seen here)
The strobe border design was replaced by a thin line similar to what was used originally. The 'Parlophone' title got a new, lengthier font and the gramophone image was removed from the "(£)" logo. The radio ban statement and patent details were moved outside of the border line.

1939-49 (seen here)
The patent details around the top were removed, as well as the "And" preceding the radio ban statement.

1949-58 (seen here)
The radio ban statement was replaced by a new "Copyright Record" statement. The company details were also slightly altered, with "For" being moved to the top line.

MAORI "CHIEF" LABEL

1927 (seen here)
The first issues featuring the Maori "Chief" label. Uses green ink with the chief in orange. Chief also has a feather sticking up above each ear.

1929-31 (seen here)
Chief is now in green and no longer has his feathers. Looks to be a more photographic image.

1931-1939
The radio ban statement was added around the bottom of the outer border and patent details added around the top. Thin border line and new, lengthier font for 'Parlophone' title.

1939-1942 (seen here)
The patent details around the top were removed, along with the "And" preceding the radio ban statement.

Note: Records re-released after this have standard plain purple labels as detailed above.

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