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Dutch Single Releases

Identification and Price Guide

Purple Label Parlophone and Odeon Singles

When the Beatles were first issued in the Netherlands, records corresponding to British releases were issued on the Purple Parlophone label and were given the same catalog number as they had in England. Records that were unique to Holland or "originated" there were given an "HHR" prefix and were pressed on the Odeon label. Records that were viewed as related to the German releases also came out on the Odeon label, with five-digit catalog numbers. The purple label continued until late Fall of 1963.

Singles originally released on this label style were as follows:

Green Label Parlophone Singles

The green label was apparently issued for the Parlophone singles only and was transitional, being available only near the end of 1963.

Singles released on this label style were as follows:

1st Black Label Parlophone and Odeon Singles

At the beginning of 1964, the colored labels for both Parlophone and Odeon singles was replaced by a black label. The Parlophone label still resembles the early British "red label" singles, and the Odeon label looks as it did before (similar to the German label). The above singles were reissued at this time onto the black label and are more common on the black label. The separation between British-like releases and issues originating in Holland continued, as both Odeon and Parlophone labels persisted. The distinction between labels ended in about July, 1964. This label style continued until mid-1965.

The singles originally released on these label styles were as follows:

2nd Black Label Parlophone issues

Both the HHR series and Parlophone's "R" series were being issued as Parlophone records, with the label now closely resembling the current British one, with rim print mentioning the Parlophone Co. Ltd.. The "Help" single was still on the charts when the transition came, and so the second issue is also shown here. This label style lasted until late 1967.

The singles originally released on these label styles were as follows:

3rd Black Label Parlophone issues

In 1967, the rim print was changed. Instead of "Made in Holland" at the bottom, the new label has rim print in Dutch going all around the label.

The singles originally released on these label styles were as follows:

First Apple Label Singles:

In 1968, the Beatles switched to the Apple label; the singles on Odeon and Parlophone did not switch to Apple. The first Apple label has no rim print and has a long "rights" statement printed on the label. This was changed in Spring, 1969.

While "Get Back" was on the charts, the Apple label style came to look more like the British Apple -- with script printing in green around the rim of the label.

NOTE: The "All Together Now" single was issued in 1972.

NOTE 2: In 1969, the Netherlands established a free-trade agreement with the EEC, and catalog numbers generally conformed to the European from that point on.

A Word About Condition

The condition of a record is all-important as to determining its value. The values shown are drastically reduced for lesser condition copies, as shown below:

Near Mint, or NM, condition records are unscratched. If the label has stickers or tape, this must be noted. Essentially, they look like they just came from the store.

Very Good Plus, or VG+, condition records will have very few scratches. Without close inspection, they might pass for Near Mint copies. A VG+ record normally sells for half what a NM copy goes for.

Very Good, or VG, condition records have a fair amount of scratches, but they by no means appear "beat up". A VG condition record normally sells for one fourth of the NM price.

Very Good Minus, or VG-, condition records are starting to appear quite scratched. Still, when played, they play through, although the surface noise is becoming distracting. Many singles are commonly found in this condition. A VG- condition record normally sells for one sixth of the NM price.

Good, or G, condition records look scratched--basically all over, but they'll play through well enough to enjoy the song. A G condition record sells for one tenth of the NM price. [Some dealers also use a grade of G+, which sells for one eighth of the NM price.]

Fair, or fr, condition records are generally worthless unless the record is rare. They're scratched up and have distracting surface noise, but they're not completely ruined. No chips missing, and not cracked. They sell for one twentieth of the NM price or less.

Poor, or pr, condition records are basically ruined. They may be warped, cracked, chipped, or otherwise unsuitable for collecting. Most collectors only accept poor condition copies of something really rare until a better one comes along. They're virtually worthless.