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Italian Single Releases

Identification and Price Guide

Parlophon Singles

The olive green label was only available on Beatles records in 1963. Therefore, only "Please Please Me" and "She Loves You" were issued on this label style.

This is the dark blue label that was issued in Italy through the rest of 1963. Some sources say that the light blue label (see below) was available at the same time in parts of the country.

NOTE: Some copies of the "Please Please Me" single do not have the "BIEM" logo on the a-side.

At the beginning of 1964, Parlophon changed its 45 label color to light blue.

NOTE: Some people refer to the rare "No Reply" PS as the "first" issue. Since both picture sleeves list the "I Feel Fine" single (which came out eleven days later) and the For Sale LP (which came out on January 12, 1965), and since it this PS is normally found with green label copies of the single, this sleeve was not released in 1964. Instead, it is more likely that the light blue label copies of the single were released without a PS. The temporary black-and-white sleeves were prepared as the LP was in final production (January, 1965) and were released around that time. Finally, a color shot from For Sale replaced the front cover to the sleeve, and a reference to the "Rock and Roll Music" single was added to the back. This second release (also January, 1965) is the more common color PS. That second sleeve accompanied the single into the black-label years.

NOTE 2: Reissues of the earlier singles on the light blue label sell for approximately $50 each in NM condition.

In 1965, Parlophon changed to a green label, which would prove to be another temporary change.

The last single, "Help," was reissued onto the black label while the single was still selling.

Parlophon's black label (matching the LP label color) rounded out their set of label color schemes.

NOTE: By the beginning of 1966, Italian Parlophon releases corresponded to the British issues, with a couple of exceptions.

In mid-1968, the record label switched to "Parlophone" and resembled more closely the labels used in other countries. All of the singles were reissued onto the Parlophone label. "Hey Jude" was still selling when the change was made. Shown above are a (typical) white label promotional single and two Parlophone copies of "Hey Jude," one in the normal QMSP series and an export copy.

Immediately after the (re)release of "Hey Jude" onto Parlophone, the Apple label was licensed for use in Italy.

In 1968, the Beatles switched to the Apple label. The singles on Parlophone did not switch to Apple in Italy but remained on Parlophone. Also, in 1969 Italy became part of the European Economic Community and began using the EEC numbers in addition to their own.

Non-EMI Singles:

A few singles were released in Italy on the Polydor label (as in other countries) and on the Bluebell label (mirroring the Vee Jay releases in the USA). These are listed below.

Magical Mystery Tour

Only one EP was issued in Italy: the Magical Mystery Tour double EP set. The catalog number was QASE 0100/1. Reportedly, the EP was issued in mono (valued at $60 to $75) and stereo (valued at $50). White label jukebox copies exist, with the same catalog number, selling for $150.

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.

© 2002, 2005 Frank Daniels