titletitle

Japanese LPsGuide to Reference
Japanese Records Guide To Reference
Toshiba EMI Label: LPs
"Obi" History #2
(Update: 28th. October 2024)

Obis with Apple logo 

images A unique feature of Japanese LPs is a fragile strip of paper called an "Obi" (pronounced oh'-bee; literally meaning "belt") wrapped around the cover. The practice of wrapping an Obi around an LP started many years before the Beatles releases and continues up to the present day.
The Obi is generally used as a marketing tool, and Obi designs are as varied as the LPs they decorate.
Some Obis display attractive graphics and provide a list of the songs on the album or other information considered useful to the consumer.
Other Obis simply display a marketing phrase meant to pique the viewer's interest.

While usually found in a wraparound strip, there are other versions of the obi that have occasionally been used.  In the early 1960s, a short-lived hankake obi, or “half obi” was used. These were small strips of paper that simply folded over the top of the cover.  These were problematic for retailers, as they tended to easily fall off of the record.
Some Toshiba/Odeon's Beatles LPs, There is order sheet on the back side of the Obi.
The order sheet was printed for the first "Toshiba Musical Industries" Obi, but was discontinued in the early years of the "Toshiba-EMI Ltd." Obi. This was because each dealer or record shop had developed their merchandise order system in the middle 70's.

INDEX
Type-6
Green Arrow Obi
 Type-7
Gourd Obi
 Type-8
Forever Obi
 Type-9
Country Flag Obi
sleeve obi sleeve obi


Type-6: "Arrow" in Dark Green Obi
(1969 - middle 1972?)

sleeve sleeve
One of the most important milestone affecting a label variation is November, 1968. that was the date when Apple Corp Ltd. of England and Toshiba came to an agreement on the manufacturing and distribution of the Beatles' record in Japan.
As part of that agreement, Toshiba had to reissue on the Apple label all the records previously issued on the Odeon label. The sleeves and Obis also had to be altered to display the Apple logo. Further still, all the Odeon catalog number prefixes were changed to ones with Apple prefixes. In most cases, only the prefixes were changed and the catalog numbers were left intact. Odeon singles, EPs, and LPs with the OR or OP prefixes were changed to Apple singles, EPs, and LPs with the AR or AP prefixes, respectively.
The older Beatles' albums which used the "Arrow" in the dark green Obi with Odeon logo were replaced the Apple logo.

MONO: ¥1,700+Order Sheet (Toshiba Onko)
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: BOTTOM
BACK
label label Reissue had a green  "arrow" OBI and priced ¥1,700 on rear sleeve and obi strip. sleeve Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi.
"¥1,700" and "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." was printed at the order sheet.

STEREO: ¥2,000+Order Sheet (Toshiba Onko)
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: BOTTOM
BACK
sleeve label Reissue had a green  "arrow" OBI and priced ¥2,000 on rear sleeve and obi strip.
The word "STEREO" was printed in a arrow.
 sleeve Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi.
"¥2,000" and "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." was printed at the order sheet.

Reissue albums
MONO
Meet The Beatles!
 The Beatles No.2
(The Beatles' Second Album)
 The Beatles No.5
AP-8026 AP-8027 AR-8028
(10/1969) (09/1970) (10/1970)
sleeve sleeve sleeve

STEREO
A Hard Day's Night Help!
 Rubber Soul
 Beatles '65
(Beatles For Sale)
 Revolver
AP-8147 AP-8151 AP-8156 AP-8442 AP-8443
(10/1969) (10/1970) (02/1969) (10/1969) (09/1969)
sleeve obi sleeve obi sleeve

Exceptions
STEREO
The Beatles Vol.1
(Please Please Me)
 The Beatles Vol.2
(With The Beatles)
AP-8675 AP-8675 AP-8678 AP-8678
10/09/1969 1969?
 10/09/1969 1969?
obi obi obi obi
Orange obi
 Red obi
 Orange obi
 Red obi
*Release Date: DD/MM/YYYY

STEREO
The Beatles' Story A Collection Of Beatles Oldies Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
 Magical Mystery Tour
AP-8676-7 AP-8016 AP-8163 AP-9728
10/09/1969 03/1969 10/1969 10/1969
obi sleeve obi images


STEREO
A Collection Of Beatles Oldies
AP-8016
10/1973
sleeve
price: ¥2,200

In 1973, the V-shaped Obi was changed to Forever Obi, so it was supposed to be sold as Forever Obi.
However, even after the LP price rose to 2200 yen in December 1973, the V-shaped obi continued. Because there is a V-shaped obi with 2200 yen printed notation.
The company name was changed to Toshiba EMI when the price increased. There is a V-shaped Obi with an order sheet printed with Toshiba EMI, so it is thought that it was manufactured immediately after the price revision. There is also a V-shaped Obi without an order sheet, and it can be seen that it was sold with a V-shaped Obi for a certain period of time.



  Apple Label: Reissue Albums List (1969 - 1972)
Album Title Release Date Catalog Number Symbol Price Company's Name Obi
Light Blue & V shape Arrow in Dark Green Dark Blue Custom Order Sheet
Meet The Beatles! Oct/1969 AR-8026 H
 1,700 Toshiba Musical Industires
Ltd.















 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
The Beatles' Second Album Sep/1970 AR-8027 H
 1,700
 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
A Hard Day's Night Oct/1969 AP-8147 H
 2,000
 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes










Beatles '65
(Beatles For Sale)		 Oct/1969 AP-8442 H
 2,000 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
The Beatles No.5 Oct/1970 AR-8028 H
 1,700 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
Help! Oct/1970 AP-8151 H
 2,000 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
Rubber Soul Feb/1969 AP-8156 H
 2,000 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes










Please Please Me
(The Beatles Vol.1)		 10/09/1969 AP-8675 H
 2,000 -
 -
 -
 Yes
(orange?)		 Yes
1969? -
 -
 -
 Yes
(red?)		 Yes
With The Beatles
(The Beatles Vol.2)		 10/09/1969 AP-8678 H
 2,000
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
(orange?)		 Yes
1969? -
 -
 -
 Yes
(red?)		 Yes










The Beatles' Story 10/09/1969 AP-8676-7 H
 3,500
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Revolver Sep/1969 AP-8443 H 2,000
 -
 Yes -
 -
 Yes
A Collection Of Beatles Oldies Mar/1969 AP-8016 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 Yes
1973
 2,200
 Toshiba EMI
 Yes -
 -
 -
 Yes
1974?
 2,200
 Toshiba EMI
 Yes -
 -
 -
 NO
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Oct/1969 AP-8163 H
 2,000 Toshiba Musical Industires
Ltd.		 -
 -
 -
 Yes Yes
Magical Mystery Tour Oct/1969 AP-9728 H
 2,200
 Toshiba Musical Industires
Ltd. 		-
 -
 Yes -
 Yes

*Release Date: DD/MM/YYYY



Type-7-1: "Gourd" in dark green (or white) Obi
(1969 - middle 1972?)

obi obi

The new Beatles' albums* on the Apple label were issued with this type -- a narrow Obi with a large round Apple logo at the top, has a dark green or white background.

*except: "Yellow Submarine (AP-8610)"		 obiobi


STEREO
The Beatles
 Abbey Road
 Let It Be
(Box Type)
 Let It Be
(Gatefold Type)
AP-8570-1 AP-8815 AP-9009 AP-80189*
(18 Jan. 1969/1st. Press) (21 Oct. 1969/1st. Press) (5 Jun. 1970/1st. Press) (25 Feb. 1971/1st. Press)
obi obi obi obi
*AP-80189 (Let It Be US. version) has two Obis.


Type 7-2: "Gourd" in White Obi

obi obi
The US edition's gourd Obi was white-based.


STEREO
Hey Jude
 Meet The Beatles!
(US)
 The Beatles' Second Album
(US)
 Something New
AP-8940 AP-80011 AP-80012 AP-80033
(21 Apr. 1970/1st. Press) (25 Aug. 1970/1st. Press) (25 Aug. 1970/1st. Press) (25 Sep. 1970/1st. Press)
obi obi obi obi

STEREO
The Early Beatles
 Beatles VI
 Help!
(US)
 Yesterday And Today
AP-80034 AP-80035 AP-80060 AP-80061
(25. Sep. 1970/1st. Press) (25. Sep. 1970/1st. Press) (25. Oct. 1970/1st. Press) (25. Oct. 1970/1st. Press)
obi obi obi obi

Exception
STEREO
Yellow Submarine
AP-8610
1st: Press: 21/03/69
sleeve


Type-8: "Forever" series Obi
 (late 1972? - 1976)

sleeve sleeve

This style Obi came into use in the late 1972(?) to promote all Beatles releases then currently on the Apple label.
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, the words "The Beatles Forever" at the bottom, and has a dark green background.
The tagline "Beatles Forever" used in Toshiba Onko's campaign began to be used around 1972.
This is the first obi that was released with the same design.Forever obi was used in the early 70's, and used for the Beatles, solos, and Apple artist LPs.

On 1st October 1973, Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd. was changed its name to Toshiba EMI Ltd.  So, there were two kind of Obis --the company name is "Tohiba Musical..." version and "Toshiba EMI..." version.
The order sheet was printed for the first Apple Obi but was discontinued in the early years of the Toshiba EMI/Apple Obi. (Maybe 1974)		 sleeve


MONO Type-1: ¥1,700+Order Sheet (Toshiba Onko)
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, and has a dark green background.
Catalogue number "AR-XXXX" and price "¥1,700" were printed at the top on obi strip.		 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi. "¥1,700" and "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." were printed at the order sheet.

MONO Type-2:  ¥2,200+Order Sheet (Cut Off: Error Print)
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
Catalogue number "AR-XXXX" and price "¥2,200 (error print)" were printed at the top on obi strip.
On 1st. December 1973, the record price was raised. Since the price of the stereo version was raised from 2000 yen to 2200 yen, this mono version might have been mistakenly printed at 2200 yen.
 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi.
But, cut off below the price print.

MONO Type-3:  ¥2,000+NO Order Sheet
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, and has a dark green background.
Catalogue number "AR-XXXX" and price "¥1,700" were printed at the top on obi strip.		 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 The order form was NOT printed on the obi.


STEREO Type-1:  ¥2,000+Order Sheet (Toshiba Onko)
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, and has a dark green background.
Catalogue number "AP-XXXX" and price "¥2,000" were printed at the top on obi strip.		 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi. "¥2,000" and "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." were printed at the order sheet.

STEREO Type-2:  ¥2,200+Order Sheet (Toshiba EMI) 
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, and has a dark green background.
Catalogue number "AP-XXXX" and price "¥2,200" were printed at the top on obi strip.		 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 Has a order sheet on the back side of the Obi. "¥2,200" and "Toshiba EMI Ltd." were printed at the order sheet.

STEREO Type-3:  ¥2,200+NO Order Sheet 
FRONT: TOP
 FRONT: CENTER
 BACK
sleeve  sleeve sleeve sleeve
It is a wide Obi characterized by the Apple logo at the top, and has a dark green background.
Catalogue number "AP-XXXX" and price "¥2,200" were printed at the top on obi strip.		 Album catch phrase was printed in white at the center of the obi strip.
 The order form was NOT printed on the obi.


Reissue albums (late 1972 - 1976)
MONO
 STEREO
 MONO
Meet The Beatles!
 The Beatles No.2
(The Beatles' Second Album)
 A Hard Day's Night
 Beatles '65
(Beatles For Sale)
 The Beatles No.5
AR-8026 AR-8027 AP-8147 AP-8442
sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve
STEREO
Help!
 Rubber Soul
 The Beatles Vol.1
(Please Please Me)		 The Beatles Vol.2
(With The Beatles)		 Revolver
AR-8151 AR-8156 AP-8675
 AP-8678
 AP-8443
obi sleeve obi obi obi
STEREO
A Collection Of Beatles Oldies
 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
 The Beatles
 Yellow Submarine
 Abbey Road
AP-8016 AP-8163
 AP-8570-1
 AP-8610 AP-8815
obi obi obi sleeve sleeve
STEREO
Hey Jude
 Meet The Beatles!
(US)
 The Beatles' Second Album
(US)
 Something New
 The Beatles' Story
AP-8940
 AP-80011 AP-80012 AP-80033 AP-8676-7
obi obi obi obi obi
STEREO
Early Beatles
 Beatles VI
 Help!
(US)
 Let It Be
(US)
 Magical Mystery Tour
AP-80034 AP-80035 AP-80060 AP-80189 AP-9728
obi obi obi obi obi


Exceptions
STEREO
AP-8016 AP-8061 EAP-9032B EAP-9034B
Toshiba EMI ¥2,200
 Toshiba EMI ¥2,200 (20. May 1973/1st. Press)
sleeve sleeve obi obi


  Forever Obi: Reissue Albums List

Album Title
 Release Date
 Catalog Number
 Symbol
 Price
 Forever Obi
 Custom Obi
With Order Sheet
 NO Order sheet
(EMI)
 		With Order Sheet
NO
Order Sheet
(EMI)
Toshiba Musical Industries
 Toshiba EMI
 Toshiba Musical Industries Toshiba EMI
Meet The Beatles!
 Mar/1973
 AR-8026
 H
 1,700
 Yes -
 		-
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 Yes
(cut off)
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,000
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
The Beatles' Second Album Mar/1973 AR-8027
 H
 1,700
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,000
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
A Hard Day's Night Mar/1973 AP-8147
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
Mid.1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -











Beatles '65
(Beatles For Sale)		 Mar/1973 AP-8442
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
The Beatles No.5 Mar/1973 AR-8028
 H
 1,700
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973
 1,700
 -
 Yes
(cut off?)
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,000
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Help! Mar/1973 AP-8151
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes


Rubber Soul Mar/1973 AP-8156
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Album Title Release Date Catalog Number
 Symbol
 Price
 Forever Obi
 Custom Obi
With Order Sheet
 NO Order sheet
(EMI)
 With Order Sheet
 NO Order sheet
(EMI)
Toshiba Musical Industries
 Toshiba EMI
 Toshiba Musical Industries Toshiba EMI
Please Please Me
(The Beatles Vol.1)
 Mar/1973 AP-8675
 H
 2,000
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
With The Beatles
(The Beatles Vol.2)
 Mar/1973 AP-8678
 H
 2,000
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -











The Beatles' Story
 Mar/1973 AP-8676-7 H
 4,000
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 4,400
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Revolver Mar/1973 AP-8443
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 		-
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
A Collection Of Beatles Oldies
 Mar/1969
 AP-8016
 H
 2,000
 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
1973
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 Yes Yes
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
 Mar/1973 AP-8163
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
-
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Magical Mystery Tour
 Mar/1973 AP-9728
 H
 2,200
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -











The Beatles
 Mar/1973 AP-8570-71
 H
 4,000
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 4,400
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Yellow Submarine
 Mar/1973 AP-8610
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Abbey Road
 Mar/1973 AP-8815
 H
 2,000
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -











Hey Jude
 Mar/1973 AP-8940
 H
 2,000
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Meet The Beatles! (US)
 Mar/1973 AP-80011
 H
 2,000 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
The Beatles' Second Album
(US)
 Mar/1973 AP-80012
 H
 2,000 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 ?
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Something New
 Mar/1973 AP-80033
 H
 2,000 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Early Beatles
 Mar/1973 AP-80034
 H
 2,000 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
Beatles VI
 Mar/1973 AP-80035
 H
 2,000 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974

2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Help!
(US)
 Mar/1973 AP-80060
 H
 2,000 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
1974

2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
Yesterday And Today
 25/08/1970
 AP-80061
 H
 2,000
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
Let It Be
(US)
 Mar/1973 AP-80189
 H
 2,000 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
 -
Oct/1973 2,200
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
1974
 2,200
 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -



Type-9-1: "Country Flag" series Obi
(1976 - 1990?)

obi obi

This style Obi came into use in June 1976 to promote the EAS series of Beatles reissues.
Three albums from "Please Please Me" to "Hard Day's Night", which had been sold in Japanese original covers and song order, were released in the UK version for the first time in Japan.
In addition, the following "Beatles '65" and "Help!" also changed the position of the cover title, etc., and became closer to the layout of the UK album.
Unlike the Forever band series, the flag band series does not include solo or Apple artist LPs. Only the Beatles LPs are numbered sequentially by country and release order.
It is a wide Obi that has the flag of the country of the LP's origin at the top. The LP's series number is located on the Apple logo and at an angle at the bottom. Has a red background.


U.K. series
 U.S. series
 Japanese series
images
 images images

Series Number
(#1 - #28 : Apple label, #29 - #40 : EMI/Odeon label)

  • #1 Please Please Me (UK)
  • #2 With The Beatles (UK)
  • #3 A Hard Day's Night (UK)
  • #4 Beatles For Sale (UK)
  • #5 Help! (UK)
  • #6 Rubber Soul (UK)
  • #7 Revolver (UK)
  • #8 A Collection Of Beatles Oldies (UK)
  • #9 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (UK)
  • #10 The Beatles (UK)
  • #11 Yellow Submarine (UK)
  • #12 Abbey Road (UK)
  • #13 Let It Be (US)
    •

  • #14 1962-1966
  • #15 1967-1970
  • #16 Meet The Beatles (US)
  • #17 The Beatles' Second Album (US)
  • #18 Something New (US)
  • #19 The Beatles' Story (US)
  • #20 The Early Beatles (US)
  • #21 Beatles VI (US)
  • #22 Help! (US)
  • #23 Yesterday And Today (US)
  • #24 Magical Mystery Tour (US)
  • #25 Hey Jude (US)
  • #26 Meet The Beatles (JP)
    •

  • #27 The Beatles' Second Album (JP)
  • #28 Beatles No.5 (JP)
  • #29 Rock and Roll Music (UK)
  • #30 The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl(UK)
  • #31 Love Songs(UK)
  • #32 The Beatles' Greatest (Hol.)
  • #33 The Beatles Beat (Ger.)
  • #34 Rarities (UK)
  • #35 Rarities (US)
  • #36 Rock and Roll Music Vol.1 (US)
  • #37 Rock and Roll Music Vol.2 (US)
  • #38 The Beatles Ballad
  • #39 Reel Music
  • #40 The Beatles In Italy (Italy)

Country Flag Obi series, which were reissued in 1976, have been released in three parts.
  • 1st time: 5 June 1976
  • 2nd. time: 20 June 1976
  • 3rd. time: 5 July 1976

5th. June, 1976 Released
With The Beatles
 Revolver
 The Beatles
 1967-1970
 Meet The Beatles! (US)
EAS-80551 EAS-80556 EAS-77001-2 EAS-77005-6 EAS-80562
obi obi obi obi obi
The Beatles' Story
 Help! (US)
 Yesterday And Today (US)

EAS-77007-8 EAS-80567 EAS-80568

obi obi obi



   
20th. June, 1976 Released
Please Please Me
 A Hard Day's Night
 Beatles For Sale
 Help! (UK)
 Rubber Soul
EAS-80550 EAS-80552
 EAS-80553
 EAS-80554
 EAS-80555
obi obi obi obi obi
Oldies
 Sgt. Peppers
 Yellow Submarine
 Abbey Road
 Let It Be
EAS-80557 EAS-80558
 EAS-80559
 EAS-80560
 EAS-80561
obi obi obi obi obi
1962-1966 Rock'n Roll Music


EAS-77003-4
 EAS-77009-10


obi obi





5th. July, 1976 Released
The Beatles' Second Album (US)
 Something New (US)
 Early Beatles (US)
 Beatles VI
 Magical Mystery Tour (US)
EAS-80563
 EAS-80564
 EAS-80565
 EAS-80566
 EAS-80569
obi obi obi obi obi
Hey Jude (US)
 Meet The Beatles! (JP)
 The Beatles' Second Album (JP)
 Beatles' No.5 (JP)
EAS-80570 EAS-70100 EAS-70101 EAS-70102
obi obi obi obi


Each time, the back of the Obi changes little by little.
  • Type-1: blank Obi (5 June, 1976)
  • Type-2: Advertising Obi1 (20 June, 1976) / "White album" has a gourd Obi, and the cover of "Rock and roll music" is "Now printing"
  • Type-3: Advertisement Obi2 (5 July, 1976) / "White Album" has NO Obi, "Rock and roll music" cover photo
  • Type-4 Advertisement Obi3 (mid 1977) Obi's glue is changed to the bottom.
  • Type-5 Advertisement Obi4 (since April 1989) Sales tax is indicated

Type-1: blank Obi (5 June, 1976)
FRONT COVER
 BACK COVER
 OBI: FRONT
 OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images
 The back of the first press Obi is a "blank Obi" with NO record advertisements printed.
Glued at the top of the Obi.
 Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and priced "¥2,500 (or ¥4,600 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip. The back of the strip is blank.






Type-2: Advertising Obi1 (20 June, 1976)
"White album" has a gourd Obi, and the cover of "Rock and roll music" is "Now printing"
FRONT COVER BACK COVER OBI: FRONT OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images This style Obi came into use in June 1976 to promote the EAS series of Beatles reissues.
Glued at the top of the Obi.		 Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and priced "¥2,500 (or ¥4,600 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip.
On the back of the Obi, a list of reissued LPs of the Beatles were printed.
"White album" has a gourd Obi, and the cover of "Rock and roll music" is "Now printing"		 obi obi






Type-3: Advertisement Obi2 (5 July, 1976)
"White Album" has NO Obi, "Rock and roll music" cover photo
FRONT COVER BACK COVER OBI: FRONT OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images Glued at the top of the Obi.
Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and priced "¥2,300 / 2,500 (or ¥4,600 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip.
On the back of the Obi, a list of reissued LPs of the Beatles were printed.
"White Album" has NO Obi, "Rock and roll music" cover photo.		 obi obi






Type-4 Advertisement Obi3 (mid 1977-1989?)
Obi's glue is changed to the bottom.
FRONT COVER BACK COVER OBI: FRONT OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images
 Obi's glue is changed to the bottom.
 Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and priced "¥2,300 / ¥2,500 (or ¥4,600 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip.
 Obi's glue is changed to the bottom.






Type-5 Advertisement Obi4 (since April 1989-1990?)
"Sales tax" is indicated.
FRONT COVER BACK COVER OBI: FRONT OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images Glued at the bottom of the Obi. Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and sales tax included price "¥2,348 (or ¥4,336 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip.
 Obi's glue is to the bottom.






Type-5' Advertisement Obi4 Error Type?
"Sales tax" is indicated.
FRONT COVER BACK COVER OBI: FRONT OBI: BACK
obi obi images images
images Glued at the bottom of the Obi. Catalog No. "EAS-XXXXX", and sales tax included price "¥2,348 (or ¥4,336 / double LP)" were printed on the front of the obi strip. back strip was glued with paste to the front strip at the bottom.







Price Change


Printed prices always appear somewhere on the cover and Obi of Japanese records. In cases where the price changed before a new cover could be printed, a sticker (usually gold with black characters) bearing the new price was placed over the printed cover and Obi price.

In April 1989, a sales tax was introduced. At that time, the commodity tax was abolished.
In line with this, the price of one STEREO disc has been changed to "¥2,348 including tax (¥2,280 excluding tax)" and the price of a two-disc set has been changed to "¥4,336 including tax (¥4,210 excluding tax)".
In addition, it seems that there is NO sales tax range for MONO titles.
MONO
 STEREO
 STEREO (double LP)
June 1976 - April 1989
images images images
April 1989 - 1990?
NO tax Obi (maybe)
 images images



Country Flag Obi: Reissue Albums List

Album Title
 Release Date
 Catalog No.
 Symbol
 Price
 Country Flag Obi
type1
(blank)
 type2
(Now printing)
 type3
(Top)
 type4
(Bottom)
 type5
(Tax)
 type5'
(Tax)
Please Please Me (UK)
 20/Jun/1976
 EAS-80550
 I
 2,500
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
1977-early1989
 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989
 2,348
 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
With the Beatles (UK)
 5/Jun/1976
 EAS-80551 I
 2,500 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348
 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
A Hard Day's Night (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80552 I
 2,500 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348
 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
Beatles For Sale (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80553 I
 2,500 -
 Yes?
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348
 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
Help! (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80554 I
 2,500 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
Rubber Soul (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80555 I
 2,500 -
 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes?
Revolver (UK)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-80556 I
 2,500 Yes
 -
 -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348 -
 -
 -
 -
 ?
 Yes
Oldies (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80557 I
 2,500
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 -
Sgt. Peppers (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80558 I
 2,500
Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
The Beatles (UK)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-77001-2 I
 4,600
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Yellow Submarine (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80559 I
 2,500
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Abbey Road (UK) 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80560 I
 2,500
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
 -
July/1977 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
 -
1977-early1989 -
 -
 -
 Yes -
 -
Apri/1989 2,348 -
 -
 -
 -
 Yes
Album Title
 Release Date
 Catalog No.
 Symbol Price
 type1
(Blank)
 		type2
(Now printing)
 type3
(Top)
 type4
(Bottom)
 type5
(Tax)
 type5'
(Tax)
Let It Be (US)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-80561 I
 2,500 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
1962-1966 (UK)
 20/Jun/1976 EAS-77003-4
 I
 4,600
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
1967-1970 (UK)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-77005-6 I
 4,600
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Meet The Beatles! (US)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-80562 I
 2,500
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes

The Beatles' Second Album (US)
 5/July/1976
 EAS-80563 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Something New (US)
 5/July/1976 EAS-80564 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

The Beatles' Story (US)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-77007-8
 I
 4,600
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Early Beatles (US)
 5/July/1976 EAS-80565 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Beatles VI (US)
 5/July/1976 EAS-80566 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Help! (US)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-80567 I
 2,500
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Yesterday and Today (US)
 5/Jun/1976 EAS-80568 I
 2,500
 Yes
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Magical Mystery Tour (US)
 5/July/1976 EAS-80569 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Hey Jude (US)
 5/July/1976 EAS-80570 I
 2,500
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes
 Yes
Meet The Beatles (JP)
 5/July/1976 EAS-70100 I
 2,300
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

The Beatles' Second Album (JP)
 5/July/1976 EAS-70101 I
 2,300
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes

Beatles' No.5 (JP)
 5/July/1976 EAS-70102 I
 2,300
 -
 -
 Yes
 Yes






















forward ...Go to "Obi History #1 (Odeon) Guide page
forward ...Go to "Obi History #3 (EMI/Odeon) Guide page



back
reference data