Identifying Japanese Beatles EP's

Japan holds the distinction of releasing more Beatles records than any other nation. At one time, they had the entire British catalog in print, along with most of the American album catalog and a few albums unique to Japan. Also, all of Odeon's releases until 1970 were available on regular black vinyl and on higher quality (low noise) red vinyl, creating even more variations. There are finer distinctions to be made, but the information that I provide should be sufficient for most collectors that want to start collecting Japanese releases, which most people consider to be on higher quality vinyl than most releases worldwide.

What's an "OBI"?


"Obi" is the word for "sash." When talking about records, the obi is a paper sash that wraps around the cover, containing bits of information about the record. Because the obis were normally discarded, an original obi is often worth more than the record it wrapped around.

NOTE: All values shown are for RED VINYL copies. Prices for OBI's vary widely.

Sixties Odeon Label


The sixties Odeon label has "Odeon 33 Compact" across the top and "STEREO" across the middle of the label. From the start, all Odeon Compact 33's were issued in stereo.

Number Title Value
OP 4016 Twist and Shout + 3 $100
OP 4036 Hard Day's Night +3 $60
OP 4044 All My Loving +3 $50
OP 4055 Long Tall Sally, I Feel Fine +2 $50
OP 4061 Rock & Roll Music + 3 $50
OP 4110 Help! + 3 $70
OP 4113 You're Going...Girl + 3 $50
OP 4118 Anna, Sie Liebt Dich, +2 $60
OP 4160 Michelle, Nowhere Man + 2 $60
OP 4198 Paperback Writer + 3 $50
OP 4206 Yellow Submarine + 3 $60
OP 4251 Bad Boy, Penny Lane + 2 $50
OP 4335/6 Magical Mystery Tour $150

NOTE: The Help! EP features the first appearance of "I'm Down" in true stereo. Until 1976, the song was rare in true stereo.

As a general rule, prices for black vinyl are about half of those for red vinyl.

When the catalog switched to Apple, Japan also began pressing Apple label reissues of the earlier EP's, using the same catalog numbers. Apple releases carry AP prefixes instead of OP. The Apple reissues sell for $10 to $20 each.

Apple Label UK Series


Using the normal Apple EP label of the time (above), Japanese Odeon chose to release all twelve of the British EP's which they had not issued before. These too were issued as Compact 33's--on June 25, 1970--in black vinyl only.

Number Title Value
AP 4568From Me to You, PPM, LMD + 1 $20
AP 4569Twist and Shout +3 $25
AP 4570Misery, Anna, Chains, +1 $25
AP 4571All My Loving, Money +2 $25
AP 4572Long Tall Sally $30
AP 4573I Should Have Known Better +3 $25
AP 4574Hard Day's Night #2 $25
AP 4575R&R Music, No Reply +2 $20
AP 4576I'll Follow the Sun + 3 $20
AP 4577Million Sellers $25
AP 4578Yesterday, Act Naturally + 2$20
AP 4579Nowhere Man +3$20

NOTE: After the Beatles broke up, the entire series of the first twelve EP's was reissued to the Odeon EAS-300** series. These sell for $10 to $15 each.

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