Columbia - Biography

Biography - Columbia

Argentina

This is the US Columbia Label. Outside of the Americas, these releases were available on the CBS Label.

For the EMI group label, See: Columbia (UK)

For a guide to Columbia Label variants see forum topic Columbia 2-Eye Label Tutorial (1962-70)

Edition made by Santiago Molinero:
The Columbia label on Argentina entered the markets during the 20s or early 10s by importations, until it started being pressed by Industrias Eléctricas y Musicales Odeon Soc. De Resp. Ltda. on the country. The label design used here implemented the Magic notes and CBS microphone logo.
Around the 50s (circa 1951 or 1952) Columbia opened an Argentinian branch, which was called “Columbia Argentina S.R.L.”. This branch would distribute both international and national recordings of Columbia, having tangos, waltz, orchestras and many genres in it’s repertoire. The label design used during the 50s was one with the “Magic Notes” and “CBS Microphone” logo on the lower side of the label, above the rights reservation text of Argentina (look for early 50s editions), and then using the “walking-eyes” label design, similar to USA one.
Still, during the 60s (circa 1962 or 1963) the legal names changed to “discos CBS S.A.I.C.F.”, presenting the CBS Label in the country. The label was re introduced during the middle or final part of the 80s under Discos CBS S.A.I.C.F. control and then Sony’s.

Things to notice about labels and such:

1) Originally, a yellow label with red lettering design was used on LPs. These label designs used the Magic notes and CBS microphone logo.
Then, the Yellow labels with three “walking-eyes” on each side of the label on LPs of Columbia were implemented and were destined for mono editions, along with the 8.XXX series for the “normal” label.

2) red labels, with three “walking-eye” logos on each side of the label, with the Columbia name on the lower side of the label were meant for Stereo editions with the “Stereo <—> Fidelity” label design used in the country, along with the 9.XXX series.

3) Originally, a blue label with silver lettering design was used on LPs of Columbia Masterworks. These label designs used the Magic Notes and CBS microphone logo.
Then, the classical division of Columbia used the same design as Columbia, but the “Masterworks” word under the “Columbia” name. It also used a 4.XXX series numbering. Besides, the color used here was Blue, almost reaching to light blue, or turquoise.

4) Columbia Masterworks label used the same “Stereo <—> Fidelity” label used by Columbia, but the “Masterworks” word was under the “Stereo Fidelity” logo. Grey labels were used to difference the Stereo edition of Mono Editions. Besides, they used the 5.XXX series numbering.

5) Columbia Entré label was used here, but for other purposes. The catalog number used by that label was 1.XXX

6) some 10” LPs can be found in the country under Columbia and Columbia Masterworks labels, with the 6.XXX and 2.XXX numbering system respectively.

7) Columbia EPs used a similar label design to labels, but with the “Columbia” name on top of all. Under it, it can be found the “magic notes” and CBS Microphone logo. Then, a four “walking-eye” logos label design was used on lots of pressings during the 50s. The Columbia name was on left side of the label. The numbering system for those EPs was 7.XXX

8) Columbia Masterworks had EPs too, but the label design used the magic notes and CBS microphone logo. Under the “Columbia” name it could be found the “Masterworks” word under it. The numbering system was 3.XXX

9) the “Alta Fidelidad Garantizada” motto started to appear during the middle 50s on Columbia and Columbia Masterworks labels. This applied too for LPs. EPs and singles, and it included the logo of Columbia on front and backside of the covers produced during the 50s.

10) Columbia had singles too. The label design was similar to the EPs one, but on red color. Columbia name would be on the left side of the label. The numbering system was 6XX for them. Then, they were changed to a complete red color, and the Columbia name on top of all and with one singular “walking-eye” logo. This format of 45rpm singles was not really exploited to it’s maximum.
33 1/3 RPM singles were used during the 60s. The design was similar to the one used by Columbia in the USA when they introduced the 33 1/3 rpm format on 7” singles.

11) the Lp logo on Columbia labels was used for day one, but it seems that it was dropped at some moment of the 60s, circa 1962.

12) on the backside of the covers there are some “designs” of the trademark of Columbia. Check these for assuring the year of pressing, edition and cover, along with other details.

12) On the Columbia label, there was a series called “Serie Bailable Especial”. This series was used on tangos, orchestras and Rock’n’Roll albums during the time, but it seems that it was dropped around the 60s, circa 1962 or after CBS took control of the catalog.

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