A common design found for West German pressings on Rocket is the “train label”, which is shown below for the Elton John album 21 at 33.  This design was likely used until the late ’80s.  An earlier design, also shown below for 21 at 33, has a more basic design of blue text on a purple paint coating.  One last Rocket design is the “watermelon label”, shown for the early Elton John compilation Love Songs.  Not shown is a basic design for West German pressings on Rocket used in the late ’80s having just black text and no paint coating.

Many of the colorful label designs used by Phonogram are rare and highly sought after by collectors.  Please check back periodically for pictures of early discs from other Phonogram labels.  Posts on other early CD pressings may be interspersed, but in time, a collection of many Phonogram CDs will be shown here.

West German pressing of Elton John 21 at 33 (Rocket, catalog number 800 055-2). This disc bears the common, yet popular, “train label”. Although the disc says “MADE IN W.GERMANY BY POLYGRAM” along the perimeter, it has “MADE IN W.GERMANY BY PDO” stamped on the play side near the hole. The matrix code is “800055 2 03″.

West German pressing of Elton John 21 at 33 (Rocket, catalog number 800 055-2). This is an earlier and much rarer pressing than the “train” disc above.  The disc says “MADE IN W-GERMANY” at 2 o’clock and has no “MADE IN…” statement stamped on the play side near the hole, suggesting that it was pressed at the Polygram plant. The matrix code is “800055 2 03″.

West German pressing of Elton John Love Songs (Rocket, catalog number 811 312-2). This disc bears the rare and popular “watermelon label”.  The disc says “MADE IN W.GERMANY” along the perimeter and has no “MADE IN…” statement stamped on the play side near the hole, suggesting that it was pressed at the Polygram plant. The matrix code is “811 312-2 02″.  West German pressings of this Elton John compilation are more commonly found with the train label.

An early Japanese Denon pressing of Bryan Adams Cuts Like a Knife (A&M catalog number CD-4919).  Note the unusual Compact Disc format logo at 7 o’clock.

The above Bryan Adams disc is the only actual disc I have located bearing this format logo.  Otherwise, the logo is found printed on the cover of accompanying booklets.  However, the logo is covered with a sticker bearing the standard format logo.  This suggests that the booklets were printed before a standard was adopted but went to market after the standard was adopted.  Rather than discard the booklets, A&M simply modified them with a sticker.  I have found Japanese pressings of Bryan Adams Cuts Like a Knife, Joe Jackson Night and Day, Quincy Jones The Dude, and The Police Synchronicity with booklets bearing the unusual logo on the cover and a sticker covering it.  If one holds the booklet cover up to light, the unusual logo can be seen behind the sticker.

Generally, Japanese Matsushita pressings are found with the booklets described above.  In the case of Night and Day and The Dude, the Matsushita pressings have red text as opposed to the black text commonly found on early A&M CDs.  Shown below are pictures of two covers bearing the standard Compact Disc format logo stickers and a Japanese Matsushita pressing of Joe Jackson Night and Day.

The booklet from an early Japanese Matsushita pressing of Bryan Adams Cuts Like a Knife (A&M catalog number CD-4919).  The Compact Disc format logo in the bottom left corner is printed on a white sticker affixed to the cover.  Underneath the sticker and printed on the cover is the unusual logo shown on the Cuts Like a Knife disc above.  Another distinguishing feature of this cover is “BRYAN ADAMS” printed in the background.  Later U.S. pressings and some early Japanese pressings are found without this background “branding”.

The booklet from select Japanese pressings of The Police Synchronicity (A&M catalog number CD-3735).  As with the Bryan Adams cover above, the Compact Disc format logo in the bottom left corner is printed on a white sticker affixed to the cover.  Underneath the sticker and printed on the cover is the unusual logo shown on the Cuts Like a Knife disc above.  This booklet is commonly found with a Japanese Mathsushita pressing, but I have also found it with a Japanese CBS/Sony pressing. 

An early Japanese Matsushita pressing of Joe Jackson Night and Day (A&M catalog number CD-4906).  The booklet accompanying this rare pressing has a Compact Disc format logo sticker like the Bryan Adams and Police booklets shown above.  The red text on this disc is a distinguishing feature of this pressing.  Japanese CBS/Sony and Denon pressings, a West German Polygram pressing, and later U.S. pressings of Night and Day all bear black text.

This single was issued in a cardboard digipak and is, therefore, also one of the earliest CDs to be issued in a digipak.  Shown below are pictures of the disc as well as the front and back of the digipak.  The disc was pressed in the U.S. by Laservideo and bears a design akin to a white-label promotional 45 RPM record.  Note that the disc is labeled “For Promotion Not For Sale”.  This disc is very rare.

The early U.S. CD single of The Police “Don’t Stand So Close To Me ‘86″ (A&M, catalog number CD-17435).  The design on the disc bears resemblance to a white-label promotional 45 RPM record.  Note that it says “For Promotion Not For Sale” beneath the A&M logo at 3 o’clock.  The copyright date on the disc is 1986.

The front of the cardboard digipak for the U.S. CD single of The Police “Don’t Stand So Close to Me ‘86″.  Shown is what appears to be a white-label promotional 45 RPM record for the song.

The back of the cardboard digipak for the U.S. CD single of The Police “Don’t Stand So Close to Me ‘86″. Shown is the play side of a CD.  Although difficult to see in the picture, this particular disc has “Made in USA - Digital Audio Disc Corp.” stamped on the plastic ring, indicative of an early DADC plant pressing.  The CD single shown above was pressed by Laservideo.

Featured here is The Edison CD Sampler, and shown below are pictures of the cover and the disc.  The cover shows a photo of Thomas Edison with his Edison Cylinder Phonograph, but in an attempt at humor, the photo was altered to show Edison holding a compact disc.  The back cover of the booklet provides credits and instructions on the proper handling of a compact disc.  The back cover also states the following: “This disc was issued to commemorate the opening of the Digital Audio Disc Corporation: September 21, 1984″.

As shown below, the disc bears a copyright date of 1984 and is labeled a promotional copy.  This disc represents a very rare piece of history from the introduction of the compact disc.

The cover for The Edison CD Sampler. Note that the photo of Thomas Edison has been modified to show him holding a compact disc.  A statement on the the back cover indicates that this disc was issued on September 21, 1984.

The Edison CD Sampler.  The catalog number is ECDS-1, which is shown on the disc at 2 o’clock.  Stamped on the plastic ring is “Made in USA - Digital Audio Disc Corp.”, and the matrix code is “DIDX-135 11A2″.  Beneath the catalog number is the DADC plant ‘D’ logo and the words “Manufactured by Digital Audio Disc Corp. Terre Haute, Indiana, USA”.  Note the promotional statement and the copyright date of 1984 beneath the CD format logo.

The “Brothers in Arms” CD single was pressed in West Germany by Polygram and was released under Vertigo catalog number 884 285-2.  Two variations of the CD single were released.  The variations are marked by a subtle difference on the front cover.  The first version has a concert tour date of 1985 in a blue triangle.  As the concert tour extended into 1986, the cover was modified with the new date, and the appearance of the triangle was improved with additional colors.  I have read that just 200 copies of the 1985 version were released, while only 500 copies of the 1986 version were released.  While I cannot verify these numbers, both versions are rare in my experience.

Shown below are pictures of the disc, the two cover variations, and the back insert.  Once again, the two versions of the CD single differ only by the cover.

The world’s first CD single, Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” (Vertigo, catalog number 884 285-2).  The disc was pressed in West Germany by Polygram.  The label design is very similar to the one used for original issues of the Brothers in Arms album CD, except for the single, the guitar motif is pink instead of blue.  Two versions of this CD single were issued that differ only by the date on the cover.  Thus, this disc was issued with both versions.

The first cover for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  Note the statement “Live in 85″ in the blue triangle.  I have read that only 200 copies of the single with this cover were issued, but this has not been confirmed.

The second cover for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  Note the statement “Live in 86″ in the multi-colored triangle.  As can be surmised, the cover was modifed as the Brothers in Arms concert tour extended into 1986.  I have read that only 500 copies of the single with this cover were issued, but as with the first cover version, I have not been able to confirm this.

The back insert for the Dire Straits “Brothers in Arms” CD single.  The track list is provided.  Printed in the bottom right corner is “Printed in West Germany” and “Made in West Germany”.  This back insert was used for the 1985 and 1986 versions of the CD single.

• DIDP: Digital Identification Project; DIDP numbers were used on CBS/Sony rock, pop, and jazz titles.
• DIDC: Digital Identification Classical; DIDC numbers were used on CBS/Sony classical titles.
• DIDX: Digital Identification External; DIDX numbers were used on non-CBS/Sony titles.
• DIDZ: The definition of the ‘Z’ is unknown, but DIDZ numbers were used on non-CBS/Sony titles as an alternative to DIDX numbers.
• DIDY: The definition of the ‘Y’ is unknown, but DIDY numbers were used on Columbia Record Club mail-order issues.

For the most part, a non-CBS/Sony title was assigned either a DIDX or a DIDZ number.  However, certain early A&M titles released in the U.S. were issued both numbers.  Discs are not found with both numbers.  Rather, two different issues exist, one with a DIDX number and one with a DIDZ number.  Both discs were pressed by CBS/Sony in Japan, and the discs and inserts are very similar in appearance.  The DIDX or DIDZ number appears on both the disc and the inserts.  It is presumed that the DIDZ discs were pressed first because the inserts in most cases were printed in Japan, whereas inserts with the DIDX discs were printed in the U.S.

Shown below are two early U.S. issues of Supertramp Breakfast in America with catalog number CD-3708.  Both discs were pressed by CBS/Sony and have “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring.  The top disc bears “DIDZ 10078″ beneath the catalog number, and the matrix code is “DIDZ-10078 11″.  The bottom disc bears “DIDX-26″ beneath the catalog number, and the matrix code is “DIDX-26 21″.  It is not clear to me why both issues exist.  As stated above, both are early U.S. issues.  There is no information on the inserts to suggest different distribution channels for the two discs.

Other A&M titles that exist as Japanese CBS/Sony DIDX and DIDZ pressings are Supertramp Crime of the Century (DIDX 25 and DIDZ 10076), The Police Ghost in the Machine (DIDX 2 and DIDZ 10070) and Synchronicity (DIDX 1 and DIDZ 10057), and Herb Alpert Rise (DIDX 3 and DIDZ 10074).  In my experience, both pressings for these titles and for Breakfast in America are quite rare.

I thought it was time to throw some holiday cheer into keithhirsch.com with a Christmas CD…or two!  Described here are two rare Elvis Presley Christmas discs.

In 1984, RCA issued the Elvis Presley Merry Christmas album on CD in the U.S. and Europe.  Although one might expect this album to be a staple in the Elvis catalog, it is long out of print.  Merry Christmas was issued in the U.S. under catalog number PCD1-5301, and the disc was pressed in Japan by Denon.  In Europe, Merry Christmas was released under catalog number PD85301, and the disc was pressed in West Germany at the Polygram and PDO (Philips-DuPont Optical) plants.  The U.S. version was in print for only a very short time and is extremely rare.  It draws considerable attention from collectors in online auctions.  The European issue stayed in print longer, and while more common than its U.S. counterpart, is still quite rare.

Shown below are scans of the two versions of Merry Christmas along with the cover and back insert.  Happy Holidays!

The U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). This disc was pressed in Japan by Denon for release in the U.S. in 1984 and is very rare, as it went out of print quickly.

The European issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PD85301). This disc was pressed in West Germany for release in Europe. This particular copy has “MADE IN W. GERMANY BY PDO” stamped on the play side in the hub area.

The cover for the U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). The cover for the European issue is very similar.

The back insert for the U.S. issue of Elvis Presley Merry Christmas (RCA catalog number PCD1-5301). The back insert for the European issue is very similar.

Based on the catalog number, this disc is believed to be an early European issue.  The red coating with “aluminum” text and aluminum target squares was only used on a handful of Target CDs.  In my experience, this is one of the rarest Target CDs.

It is not clear to me why the stickers were used rather than the conventional stamp along the perimeter, but in my experience, these stickered discs are very rare.  Shown below are two Japan-for-U.S. issues of Bruce Springsteen Born to Run (CBS, catalog number CK 33795).  The first copy has the “MADE IN JAPAN” sticker at 3 o’clock.  The matrix code is “35DP-21-1 1A1″ in a crude font.  This crude matrix code font is indicative of a very early Japanese CBS/Sony pressing.  The disc also has “MANUFACTURED BY CBS/SONY RECORDS INC.” stamped on the clear plastic ring.

The second copy of Born to Run has the conventional “MADE IN JAPAN” stamp along the perimeter.  This disc has the same matrix code as the stickered version, but it has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring.

I also have stickered versions of REO Speedwagon Hi Infidelity (Epic, catalog number EK 36844), Boz Scaggs Silk Degrees (CBS, catalog number CK 33920), and Toto Toto IV (CBS, catalog number CK 37728).  Each title also exists as a Japanese CBS/Sony pressing with “MADE IN JAPAN” stamped along the perimeter.

The first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  This disc has 10 tracks and lacks “Murder by Numbers”.  This label design with the partial black coating was used by A&M in Japan on only a few early pressings.  The disc was pressed at the CBS/Sony plant in Japan.  It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matix code is “38XB-2 11A1″.

The second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2. This disc has 11 tracks and has “Murder by Numbers” as the last track. The label design is very similar to the one used for the original U.S. issue. In fact, this disc bears the original U.S. catalog number of CD 3735 beneath the A&M logo. The disc was pressed at the CBS/Sony plant in Japan. It has “CSR COMPACT DISC” repeating in the plastic ring, and the matix code is “38XB-2 31A8 +++++”.

The front cover for the first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The booklet opens from the right.  Thus, the cover artwork is presented in an unconventional vertical orientation.  Also note the shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” on the right side.  Lyrics and other text are printed in both English and Japanese inside the booklet.  There is no separate Japanese lyric sheet.

The front cover for the second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2. The booklet opens from the right. Thus, the cover artwork is presented in the conventional horizontal orientation. Note that there is no shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” at the top. This booklet is identical to one used for an early Japanese pressing issued in the U.S. All text inside this booklet is printed in English, but a separate Japanese lyric sheet is included.

The back insert for the first pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The picture is oriented such that the spines are on the left and right sides.  Thus, like the front cover above, the artwork appears in the unconventional vertical orientation.  Once again, note the shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” on the right side.  The gray strip on the right looks like the back of an OBI strip, but it is actually a printed portion of the back insert.

The back insert for the second pressing of the Japanese issue of Synchronicity with catalog number 38XB-2.  The picture is oriented such that the spines are on the left and right sides.  Thus, like the front cover for the second pressing above, the artwork appears in the conventional horizontal orientation.  Note that there is no shadow effect on “THE POLICE” and “SYNCHRONICITY” at the top.  The gray strip on the right is an OBI strip of sorts.  It is a separate piece of paper from the back insert.  Thus, it covers a portion of the back insert and also covers one spine.  Notice that part of “SYNCHRONICITY” is covered by this OBI strip.