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Indian 78 RPM Single Releases

Identification and Price Guide

First Style Red Parlophone Label

India was one of three countries known to have been pressing 78's when the Beatles came along -- the Philippines and Argentina being the others. Of these three, India pressed them the longest, with 78 RPM singles being available practically throughout the Beatles' career. All of the 78's are scarce to rare, with the later singles being hardest to find. Most collectors are unaware that the 78's came out on at least three different label styles.

The first of these styles has simply "Trade Mark" in the center of the label. At the top of the label, in the rim, are the words "This copyright record must not be publicly performed without licence." At the bottom of the label are the words "THE PARLOPHONE CO, LTD."

NOTE: A Parlophone company sleeve from the period would theoretically add value to the 78, but since the 78's are so rare that added value is minimal.

Type 2 Red Parlophone Label

Beginning in mid-1964, Parlophone of India added information to the center of the label and to its rim. The center of the label now reads "Regd. Td. Mks. of the Parlophone Co., Ltd." The rim print going across the top reads, "Made in India by the Gramophone Co., Ltd. (Incorporated in England with Limited Liability) Regd. User." The print across the bottom is the public performance statement that had appeared across the top of the Type 1 label. I tend to call this the "registered user" label. All of the earlier 78's are presumed to have been reissued onto this label style (with no detectable change in value from the first pressing). In addition, the following new singles were issued:

NOTE: The "Hard Day's Night" single is listed here as well as above because the change to the new label style seems to have occurred while the song was popular. In fact, it is more common on this second label style.

Type 3 Red Parlophone Label

Near the beginning of 1965, another change in label styles occurred. The print across the center of the label now mentions the Parlophone Co., Ltd. The copyright statement at the bottom is the same, but the print at the top of the label rim now reads, "Made in India by the Gramophone Co. of India (Private) Ltd. Permitted User." I usually refer to this as the "permitted user" label. All of the earlier 78's were reissued onto this label style, with most of them being easier to find in their original pressings; yet there is currently no price distinction. Also, the following new singles were released:

Type 4 Red Parlophone Label

Later in 1965, one final change in label styles occurred. The print across the center of the label now mentions the Gramophone Co., Ltd. The copyright statement at the bottom is the same, but the print at the top of the label rim now reads, "Made in India by the Gramophone Co. of India (Private) Ltd. Licensed User." I usually refer to this as the "licensed user" label. All of the earlier 78's were reissued onto this label style, with some of them being just as easy to find on this new style and others being easier to find in their original pressings. Even so, there is currently no price distinction. Also, the following new singles were released:

NOTE: No copies are known to exist of the singles marked with an asterisk (*); however, since later 78's were issued, and since those so marked are "regular issue" singles, they are suspected to exist. Their valuations are estimates, based on the sales of the other singles.

NOTE 2: Some of the later singles, particularly "Hey Jude" and "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da," may have been issued originally on a black and silver label, instead of a red label. I have not been able to confirm this personally.

NOTE 3: The prices vary widely on all Indian 78's.

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.

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