title
title

Japanese  Guide to Reference home
The Toshiba EMI Recording
Odeon, Apple, and EMI/Odeon Label

(Update: 20th. January 2023)

Example:Single's List

TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1
I Want To Hold Your Hand (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2
This Boy (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
5th February.1964/First Press
SIDE 2 -->Click! DISK -->Click!
iwant sleeve disk disk disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
iwant iwant iwant iwant
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
LYRIC SHEET: FRONT CLOSE UP
LYRIC SHEET: INSIDE CLOSE UP LYRIC SHEET: BACK CLOSE UP
iwant iwant iwant iwant
Odeon logomark was printed at the upper of the lyric sheet.
The words "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." was printed at the bottom of the lyric sheet.
The first Beatles single in Japan, "Please Please Me/Ask Me Why" was introduced at the lyric sheet. "Toshiba Audio system" advertising  was introduced at the back of the lyric sheet.
LYRIC SHEET: BACK CLOSE UP
iwant Two key identifying characteristics with which the collector should be familiar are the circled letter symbol and the price.
There are important to note because TOSHIBA would reprint records from time to time without changing catalog numbers but with different symbols and price designations.
"MADE IN JAPAN", "symbol=F" and  "¥330" were printed at the bottom of the lyric sheet.
OTHER ITEM
-

Odeon type 1
OR-1041
SIDE 1
7XCE-17559    26
SIDE 2
7XCE-17560    18
D4
Red
DISK EDGE Flat Edge
Bifold
Toshiba Records Sleeve type 1
MIX
Mono
COVER
Toshiba Ongaku kogyo Kabusikigaisha
LABEL
MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN
F-330YEN
COMMENTS
Toshiba released the first Japanese record featuring the Beatles by name as a group: "I Want To Hold Your Hand/This Boy (OR-1041)".
When this record was released in 1964, Toshiba's official name was "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." and they used the Odeon label for this and subsequent Beatles releases.
The LPs, singles and EPs were initially released on both red and black vinyl, with the red variants reportedly offering particularly good sound quality. They are particularly sought-after by audiophiles, and are considerably rarer than the black vinyl versions - red vinyl signifies first pressings of a release.
Nearly all of the Japanese Beatles singles were issued with "bifold" picture lyric sheet and company inner sleeve.

"Please please me" has a lower catalog number and was scheduled to be the first Odeon Beatles single.
However, "I want to hold your hand" was rush released to the market first.











Record Label Variations ...Back to the Single List

Company name
Company Name credit
Label Type
Comments
Odeon
Apple
EMI/Odeon
TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
(- Sep.1973)
MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN
Odeon Type-1
-
-

MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN
Odeon Type-2
-
-

MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES
LTD. JAPAN
-
Apple
Type-1
-
Dark Green Apple
-
Apple Type-2-1
-
Light Green Apple
TOSHIBA-EMI LTD.
(Oct. 1973 - )
MFD. BY TOSHIBA-EMI LTD. JAPAN --
Apple
Type-2-2
-
MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA-EMI LTD. IN JAPAN -
-
EMI/Odeon
Type-1

-
-
EMI/Odeon
Type-2
AN EMI TRADE MARK


Odeon Label (1964-1969)
Odeon Type 1

1964 - 1968
label label_up Toshiba was the first company in Japan to manufactrure, market and distribute Beatles records on a massive scale much in the same way Capitol did in the U.S.

Toshiba released the first Japanese record featuring the Beatles by name as a group: "I Want To Hold Your Hand/This Boy (OR-1041)".

When this record was released in 1964, Toshiba's official name was "Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd." and they used the Odeon label for this and subsequent Beatles releases.
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
disk iwant
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
Odeon Type 2

1968 -1969
disk
label_up
The words "MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
disk label_up
The words "MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
Apple Label (1969-1979)
Apple Type 1
(Dark Apple)

1969 - 1973?
disk iwant The important milestone affecting a label variation is November 1968.
That was the date when Apple Corp Ltd. of England and Toshiba came to agreement on the manufacturing and distribution of the Beatles' records in Japan.

In 1969, Toshiba had to reissue on the Apple label all the records previously issued on the Odeon label.

On 1st October 1973, Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd. was changed its name to Toshiba EMI Ltd.

And in the Apple label, there are two subtypes, "TOSHIBA MUSIC Industries" and "TOSHIBA- EMI".

Further more, the early copies of the APPLE-TOSHIBA MUSIC type have dark Apple on its label, though the late copies have light one.
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
disk
label
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
Apple Type 2-1
(Light Apple)

1973?
disk label
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
disk iwant
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD. JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo
Apple Type 2-2
(Light Apple)

Oct. 1973 - 1976
disk iwant
The words "MFD. BY TOSHIBA-EMI LTD. JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
logo

Red Vinyl

No Disk (maybe)
EMI/Odeon Label (1979-today)
EMI/Odeon Type-1

1976? - 1980?
label label Toshiba had already begun use of the new EMI/Odeon label as early as 1976 on certain new releases not covered under the Apple contract.
"The Beatles At The Hollywood Bowl" LP from 1977 is an example.
By the early 1980's, the EMI/Odeon label had completely supplanted the Apple label on all Beatles releases.
The words "MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA-EMI LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
label Cannot read the words "AN EMI TRADE MARK" at the bottom of th EMI/Odeon logo mark.
logo
EMI/Odeon Type-2

1981 -
label label
The words "MFD. UNDER LICENCE BY TOSHIBA-EMI LTD. IN JAPAN" was printed at the perimeter.
label The words "AN EMI TRADE MARK" was printed at the bottom of th EMI/Odeon logo mark.
logo


Manufacturer's Catalog Number ...Back to the SIngle List

Prefix Label Vinyl
OR Odeon Black
Red
AR Apple Black
Red
EAR Apple Red
EAR EMI/Odeon Black
EAS EMI/Odeon Black

The numbering system for singles is a lot of simpler.
From 1964-1968, Odeon singles were issued in the form "OR-****".
The change from the Odeon to the Apple label starting in 1969 also resulted in the reissue of all singles in the form "AR-****".
Only the prefixes of the reissues were changed; the numbers remained the same.When the label changed to EMI/Odeon in 1976, most of the singles were reissued and renumbered sequentially with EAR prefixes.
In 1980, some singles were reissued in a mono series and renumbered sequentially with EAS prefixes.


Vinyl Color ...Back to the Single List

Besides good sound and quality printing, Japanese records also offered some other things of interest to the collector.  One of the primary manufacturing companies in Japan, Toshiba, pressed a lot of their records on red, “Everclean” vinyl from 1958 through 1974 (maybe).  While not pressed as collectors’ items, these red vinyl pressings are more sought out by collectors than their black vinyl counterparts.  The Everclean vinyl was designed to be less prone to collecting static electricity and dust than the more common black vinyl.
label
Toshiba Kawaguchi Factory, in Saitama
All of the Toshiba's red vinyl records were exclusively manufactured by its factory in Kawaguchi, Saitama.

Odeon Label
Black Vinyl Red Vinyl Comments
label label disk disk Release date...1964-1969

Commonly red,but later red releases are not as easily found as the earlier ones.
Red Vinyl is called "AKA-BAN" in Japan.
Apple Label
Black Vinyl Red Vinyl Comments
disk label disk label Release date...1969-1979

Commonly black,but red vinyl release can be found with some searching.
"EAR" and "red" type of single is none (maybe).
EMI/Odeon Label
Black Vinyl Red Vinyl Comments
label
label
No Disk No Disk Release date...1976-today

Black only(maybe).

Catalog Number
Odeon
type1
Odeon
type2
Apple
type1
Apple
type2-1
Apple
type2-2
EMI/Odeon
type1
EMI/Odeon
type2
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
OR-1024 sleeve
Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
-
-
-
-
OR-1041 sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
-
-
-
-
OR-1058
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
-
-
-
-
OR-1076
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1077
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
-
Yes -
Yes
OR-1078
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes


-
-
-
-
OR-1093
sleeve Yes Yes Yes


Yes

Yes

Yes
-
Yes -

OR-1094
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes
-
-
-
-
OR-1102
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes


Yes
-
-
-
-
OR-1119
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1139
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1142
sleeve Yes
Yes

Yes
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
OR-1145
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1155 sleeve Yes Yes

Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1156
sleeve Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes

-
Yes -

OR-1172
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes -
Yes -
Yes
OR-1179
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1189
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes -
Yes -
Yes
OR-1192
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1193
sleeve Yes Yes

Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -

-
Yes
OR-1194
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes
Yes
Yes -
Yes -
Yes
OR-1195
sleeve Yes Yes
           

Yes
Yes
Yes -
Yes -
Yes
OR-1261
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes

Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1412
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1418
sleeve Yes Yes

Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -

-
Yes
OR-1426
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes

Yes -
Yes -

Catalog No.
Odeon
type1
Odeon
type2
Apple
type1
Apple
type2-1
Apple
type2-2
EMI/Odeon
type1
EMI/Odeon
type1
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
Red
BK
OR-1430
sleeve Yes Yes



Yes Yes

-
Yes -

OR-1437
sleeve Yes Yes Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Yes

-
-
-
-
OR-1445
sleeve Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1510
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
Yes -

OR-1529
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes

Yes Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1578
sleeve Yes Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Yes

-
-
-
-
OR-1685
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes Yes

-
-
-
-
OR-1763
sleeve Yes Yes


Yes Yes Yes

-
-
-
-
OR-1838
sleeve -
-
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
OR-1902
sleeve -
-
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes -
-
-
-
OR-2121
sleeve -
-
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2207
sleeve -
-
-
-

Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2279
sleeve -
-
-
-
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2301
sleeve -
-
-
-
Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2400
sleeve -
-
-
-

Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2461
sleeve -
-
-
-
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2520
sleeve -
-
-
-
Yes Yes
Yes
Yes -
-
-
-
AR-2611
sleeve -
-
-
-

Yes
Yes

-
-
-
-
EAR-20030
sleeve -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Yes -
-
-
-
EAR-20050
sleeve -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Yes -

EAR-20221
sleeve -
-
-
-










EAR-20223 sleeve -
-
-
-










EAR-20501
sleeve -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Yes -

EAS-17158
sleeve -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
Yes
EAS-17226
sleeve -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Yes
(custom)
-



Ever Clean(TM) RECORD...Back to the EP List

Most if not all of the red vinyl OP Odeon EPs were manufactured with an ingredient intended to prevent the buildup of static electricity on the disks. TOSHIBA's trademark for records manufactured with this ingredient is "Ever Clean", and special efforts were made to promote this feature. The "Ever Clean" trademark appears as shown below on the back cover or (if applicable ) inside the gatefold of an LP.

"Ever Clean" seems to have been used on LPs only. EPs or Singles bearing the trademark cannot be found.
label
booklet: "Toshiba Ever Clean (July 1960)"

label label
"EverCrean"
Dust is prohibited on records
All Toshiba records are "Ever Clean", so you can always enjoy the music with the best sound quality without dust.
(printed on the inner sleeve)
No dust on Everclean Records (left)


Matrix Number ...Back to the Single List
Matrix numbers are alphanumeric codes (and on occasion, other symbols) stamped or hand written (or a combination of the two) into the run-out groove area of a gramophone record. This is the non-grooved area between the end of the final song on a record's side and the label, also known as the run-off groove area, end-groove area, matrix area, or "dead wax".
There are two parts of the matrix number to be considered: the "main number", which is usually printed on the label as well, and "extra information" which can include a cut or take number.
The most important part of the "extra information" is usually the cut number, which is a suffix to the main number. For example, matrix number 12345 is seen on a label, but examination of the run-out groove area reveals number 12345–3, which indicates this is the third cut of this side. It is not unusual to find records with a different cut number on each side. (From "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia")
label label
Matrix Number: 7XCE - 18433   1S
label label
Matrix Number:  XEX - 481 - 5   2 S 2


Press Mark ...Back to the Single List
According to "The Illustrated Guide To The '60s Japanese LP With Obi (Published by: Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.)", the inscription area may also contain cutting dates.
The press mark can be almost found stamped into the deadwax at the 9 o'clock position of side-1.

from October  1961 to  May 1973
Press Mark: Alphabet + Number
ex.)  "E4"=1964 May
ex.)  "M5"=December 1965
A B C D E F
January February March April May June

G H J K L M
July August September October November December






from June 1973 - 
Press Mark: Number + Number, or Number + Alphabet
ex.)  "3-7"=1973 July
ex.)  "4-X"=1974 October
1 2 3 4 5 6
January February March April May June

7 8 9 X Y Z
July August September October November December

label label
Press Mark:
J6=September 1966
label label
Press Mark:
0B=1970 February


Disk Edge ...Back to the Single List
The groove guard (edge of the record) was introduced in 1954 by RIAA (maybe).The groove guard is not only protected the record grooves when sliding the disc into the hard cardboard cover and when taking it out, but saved an important amount of vinyl.

Odeon Label Apple Label EMI/Odeon Label
- 1966? 1966? - 1968? 1968- All of the disks All of the disks
label label label label label
Flat Edge Knife Edge Groove Guard Groove Guard Groove Guard



Lyric Sheet Type ...Back to the Single List

TYPE 1: Bifold
Back Front Inside
sleeve iwant iwant iwant
Most of singles, especially the older ones, have a cover that simply consists of a 14" by 7" sheet of paper that is folded in half (called a "bifold").When folded, the front cover displays the artwork for the single and the inside and back cover contain information, lyrics, and occasionally photos.
The example also shows how advertising was sometimes used on the back covers of the original singles.
TYPE 2: Slip Sheet
Front Back Other singles have a cover that is a 7" square sheet of paper (called a "slip sheet") that has the cover art on the front and the lyrics on the back.
straw straw
TYPE 3: Slip Sheet (inside the sleeve)
Lyric Sheet: Slip Sheet Sleeve: Pocket Style
Front Back Front Back
sleeve sleeve sleeve sleeve
A third type of cover for singles is the pocket style.The cover designed as a 7" square open-topped envelope that displays the cover art on both side. A separate lyric sheet is inserted inside the cover.



Inner Sleeve Type ...Back to the Single List

Generic inner sleeves are used for singles without pocket style covers.
Their designs change over the years.

Type Front
Back Comments
Toshiba Records Sleeve
Type-1

1964-early 1968
iwant sleeve Most original and even most reissue Odeon singles have this inner sleeve design.
Toshiba Records Sleeve
Type-2-1

starting late1968
sleeve sleeve Also used with Odeon 400yen reissues.

Without "Apple Records" logo type.
The Beatles introduced Apple Records at a press conference in New York City on 14th. May1968.
Toshiba Records Sleeve
Type-2-2

1969?
iwant sleeve sleeve Also used with Odeon 400yen reissues.

Added "Apple Records" logo type.
Toshiba Records Sleeve
Type-2-3

1969?
sleeve sleeve sleeve Also used with Odeon 400yen reissues.

Added "Dunhill Recording" logo type.
Apple Records Sleeve

1969-1976?
iwant sleeve All original Apple singles and most Apple reissues use this style sleeve.
A few later EAR prefix Apple singles use the EMI/Odeon sleeve shown at the next column.
On 1st. October 1973, Toshiba Musical Industries Ltd. changed its name to Toshiba-EMI Ltd.
Toshiba EMI Sleeve
Type-1

1973? - 1976?
sleeve sleeve This inner sleeve is used with all singles on the EMI/Odeon label and with singles on other labels that were manufactured by TOSHIBA-EMI.

Open top type. Glued left and right.
Toshiba EMI Sleeve
Type-2-1

1977? - 1980
sleeve
sleeve
This inner sleeve is used with all singles on the EMI/Odeon label and with singles on other labels that were manufactured by TOSHIBA-EMI.

Open top type. Glued left and right.
Toshiba EMI Sleeve
Type-2-2

1981?
sleeve sleeve sleeve Open side type.

Credited to "unauthorized copying of this record prohibited". Glued top and bottom.
Toshiba EMI Sleeve
Type-2-3

late 1981? - 
sleeve
sleeve
Open side type.
Credited to "unauthorized copying, hiring, renting". Glued top and bottom.
sleeve



Symbols and Prices  ...Back to the Single List

Two key identifying characteristics with which the collector should be familiar are the circled letter symbol and the price.
There are important to note because TOSHIBA would reprint records from time to time without changing catalog numbers but with different symbols and price designations.
iwant
iwant
iwant

The Symbol's Lettering Changes

Over the years, the circled "F" symbol was changed to a circled "G", then to a circled "H", and finally to a circled "I" according to the approximate timeframes shown in the table below:

Symbol Dates Used
F 1964-late1965
G late1965-late1968
H late1968-late1974
I late1974-1980's


Price Changes

For records bearing the same circled letter, the price is used to distinguish an earlier from a later release. The earlier release have lower prices because just about all these records ware released during a time of generally increasing prices. Printed prices always appear somewhere on the cover 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 price.

sleeve sally
sleeve sally
iwant iwant
sleeve sleeve
iwant iwant


Symbol Price Comments
Odeon
F ¥330 Available up through OR-1261
Sometimes stickered over with "370 yen"
G ¥370 Original starts OR-1412, but likely all OR singles (*) have a 370yen version.
(*) except OR-1194 and OR-2121
Sometimes stickered over with "400 yen"
H ¥370 Some of these exit.
ex.) OR-1437, OR-1838 and OR-1902
H ¥400 Original starts OR-2121, but likely all OR singles(*) have a
400yen version.
(*) except OR-1024, OR-1156, OR-1194 and OR-1195
Apple
H ¥400 Company's name: TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
Sometimes stickered over with "500yen"
H ¥500 Company's name: TOSHIBA MUSICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
H ¥500 Company's name: TOSHIBA-EMI LTD.
I ¥500 Company's name: TOSHIBA-EMI LTD.
EMI/Odeon
I ¥600 Company's name: TOSHIBA-EMI LTD.
I ¥700 Company's name: TOSHIBA-EMI LTD.


Promotional Record  ...Back to the Single List

In Japan, promotional records have traditionally been provided at no charge to radio stations, record shops, and the mass media to increase the sales of a record or in some cases to promote a tour.
There are two types of promotional releases.
Type-1: This type is called the white label promo for which a unique label has been made. Sometimes unique cover art accompanies a white label promo release but most usually, the regular cover is used with appropriate alternations to prohibit commercial sale.
Type-2: The second type of promo record is less elaborate and is called a sticker promo. It is simply a regular commercial release that has a promo sticker affixed to the cover. This type of promo is occasionally found on post-1975 releases.

Odeon White Label Promo
The label design of Odeon white label singles is very similar to that of regular commercial Odeon singles. The promo version, however, features the perimeter print, Odeon logo, and circled text in red and all other printing in black. The print in black has an unusual "hand lettered" look to it quite unlike the regular commercial version. The release date is in black and appears above and to the left of the title.
disk disk disk disk Here is a close-up of the circled text: "Sample under Article 10, Clause 2 of the Commodity Tax Law".
The release date is in black.
disk disk disk iwant Here is a close-up of the circled text: "Sample under Article 10, Clause 2 of the Commodity Tax Law".
The release date is in black.
Apple White Label Promo
The design of Apple white label promo singles differs markedly from commercial Apple singles. Promo versions eliminate perimeter print and feature a line drawing of the Apple logo at the label top.
All print is black. Notice the promo characters inside the rectangle to the left of the Apple logo and release date to the right.
disk disk disk label Notice the promo characters inside the rectangle to the left of the Apple logo.
EMI/Odeon White Label Promo
The promo label coloring of EMI/Odeon white label promo single is essentially the inverse of the commercial version. The black print and white background of the promo version is the "negative" of the commercial version. The promo (not for sale) characters and "JASRAC" logo mark were printed on the label.
The white label promo singles lacks the perimeter print of the commercial version. The release date was not printed on the label.
label
label label
iwant
Notice the promo characters inside the rectangle to the left.











back
reference data