After over 40 years you'd think that there was nothing left to discover in regards to pressing variations of Beatles singles, EPs and LPs, but in recent years it has emerged that EMI were not the only company to press Beatles records.

Back in the 60's EMI had a limited record pressing power, and the Beatles were so popular that they simply could not cope with the demand that the fans were putting on them to get the copies out and into the shops. Purchases meant profit, and fans having to wait for EMI to catch up with demand meant a loss of earnings. Because of this, EMI decided to approach rival production companies with batch orders for them to press to help keep on top of things.

Although the above is pretty much common knowledge now in the Beatles collecting world, the background area is still very vague and many contract pressings are today being incorrectly attributed to certain record labels. This article will hopefully set all the records straight (pardon the pun), show every contract pressing and which company pressed them.

To start the article off a typical EMI pressing is detailed. Then underneath each different known contract pressing is listed and scrutinised along with a list of which singles are known to exist in that variation. Comparison pictures between the contract pressings and their parent pressing company releases can be found on page 2 (link at the bottom of the page).

Click the following links to scroll down to a particular pressing:

This first page looks at the distinguishing marks of each contract variation.

The second page displays evidence of the presses by comparing the Beatles contract presses to parent company counterparts.

The third page displays a gallery of all the known Beatles contract pressings.

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a standard push-out center EMI pressing. These are its unique, distinguishing characteristics... 1: The tax code is embossed around the centre hole. 2: The small area between the edge of the ridge and the push-out centre gap is approximately 1mm. 3: The small gap between the push-out centre and the main body of the disc is approximately 1.5mm. 4: The tax code is stamped into the deadwax at either the 12 o'clock or the 9 o'clock positions. 5: The mother plate number is stamped at the 9 o'clock position in the deadwax. 6: The stamper code letters are stamped at the 3 o'clock position in the deadwax. 7: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the push-out centre EMI pressing is 36 grams. Note: The tax code embossed stamp can be found on either side of the record. Note: Sometimes the deadwax stampers are pressed off-center to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position.

Solid Centre On the left here is a standard solid centre EMI pressing. These are its unique, distinguishing characteristics... 1: The tax code is embossed around the centre hole. 2: The ridge is approximately 27mm from the dinked edge around the label, or 12mm out from the centre hole. 4: The tax code is stamped into the deadwax at either the 12 o'clock or the 9 o'clock positions. 5: The mother plate number is stamped at the 9 o'clock position in the deadwax. 6: The stamper code letters are stamped at the 3 o'clock position in the deadwax. 7: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the solid centre EMI pressing is 38 grams.

Oriole was formed in 1927 and after being discontinued in 1935 it was restarted in 1950. In late 1964 Oriole was sold to CBS which would explain why no other Parlophone contract singles by Oriole can be found after this year.

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a push-out centre Oriole contract pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: No tax code is evident in the push-out centre on either side of the disc. 2: The push-out centre has a rough texture to it. 3: There is one small ridge that's approximately 0.5mm in from the edge of the push-out centre. 4: The gap between the push-out centre and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm wide. 5: The tax code can be found stamped into the deadwax at the 9 o'clock position. 6: The mother plate number is pressed directly underneath the tax code at the 9 o'clock position. 7: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. 8: There are no stramper code letters stamped into the deadwax at the 3 o'clock position. 9: The dinking around the edge of the label is twice the size of the EMI press at 2mm tall. The approximate weight of the push-out centre Oriole pressing is between 42 and 48 grams. Beatles Oriole singles that are confirmed to exist: I Want To Hold Your Hand / This Boy Can't Buy Me Love / You Can't Do That I Feel Fine / She's a Woman

The Decca and Pye push-out styles are extremely similar in design. Decca were also the only company that also helped with the production of the Beatles' first two albums. A small number of Decca contract presses have been discovered without the mother numbers at the 9 o'clock position.

Push Out Centre On the left here is a push-out centre Decca contract pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: No tax code is evident in the push-out centre on either side of the disc. 2: The ridge is approximately 2.5mm in from the edge of the push-out centre, or 10mm from the center hole. 3: There is a second lighter ridge that is approximately 0.5mm in from the edge of the push-out centre. 4: The gap between the push-out centre and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm wide. 5: The tax code on every Decca contract pressing can be found at the 12 o'clock position. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' however has the tax code pressed at the 9 o'clock position. 6: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) is pressed directly underneath the tax code at the 9 o'clock position. However, one or two very rare Decca presses have been discovered that omit this number. 7: The contract pressings did NOT utilise the BUCKINGHAM stamper codes, so there are no such letters at the 3 o'clock position. 8: The matrix number can be found at the 6 o'clock position. The approximate weight of the push-out centre Decca pressing is between 38 and 42 grams. Beatles Decca singles that are confirmed to exist: She Loves You / I'll Get You I Want To Hold Your Hand / This Boy I Feel Fine / She's a Woman Help! / I'm Down Hello, Goodbye / I Am The Walrus Beatles Decca singles that are rumoured to exist: Hey Jude / Revolution Beatles Decca EPs that are confirmed to exist: Million Sellers Beatles Decca EPs that are rumoured to exist: Twist and Shout No. 1 Long Tall Sally

LP On the left here is a Decca LP pressing. These are its unique, distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc. 2: There's a light ridge that runs around approximately 5mm out from the centre hole. This ridge is also 41mm in from the edge of the label. 3: The most promiment groove, which is a typical characteristic of Decca LP presses is approximately 31mm out from the centre hole and 15mm in from the edge of the label. 4: There is no tax code stamped at the 12 o'clock position. 5: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) is at the 9 o'clock position. There is no tx code stamped above it. 6: The contract pressings did NOT utilise the BUCKINGHAM stamper codes, so there are no such letters at the 3 o'clock position. 7: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the Decca LP pressing is 144 grams. Beatles Decca LPs that are Confirmed to Exist: Please Please Me With the Beatles

The Pye contract press is much more difficult to find than was once thought. in fact it appears that Pye only ever helped EMI out once and that was for the single Hey Jude.

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a push-out centre Pye pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc. 2: The ridge is approximately 2.5mm in from the edge of the push-out centre or about 10mm out from the center hole. 3: The secondary ridge runs right on the very edge next to the triangular centre attachments. You can only see a second ridge at the base of these triangular shapes and *extremely* flush against the edge gap, whereas on the Decca discs this ridge is clearly visible around the extreme edge rim of the pushout section. This is consistent with all Decca and Pye discs. 4: The gap between the push-out centre and the main body of the disc is approximately 2.25mm. 5: The tax code can be found at the 12 o'clock position. 6: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) is at the 9 o'clock position. 7. A hand-etched letter has been scratched in at the 3 o'clock position. This does NOT appear on the Decca contract pressings. 8: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the push-out centre Pye pressing is between 42 and 46 grams. Note: It has been noted that on some copies of this variation the deadwax stampers are pressed off-center to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position.

Solid Centre On the left here is a standard push-out centre EMI pressing. These are its unique, distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc. 2: The first, inner ridge is approximately 29mm in from the edge of the label, or 10mm out from the centre hole. 3: The second, outer ridge is approximately 2.5mm out from the inner ridge and 12.5mm out from the centre hole. It is 26mm in from the edge of the label. 4: A third smoother embankment-like ridge surrounds the outer ridge and is approximately 2mm out from the outerridge and 14.5mm out from the centre hole. It is 24mm in from the edge of the label. 5: The tax code can be found in the deadwax at the 12 o'clock position. 6: The mother plater number (either single or double figured) is at the 9 o'clock position. 7: A hand-etched letter has been scratched in at the 3 o'clock position. This does NOT appear on the Decca contract pressings. 8: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the solid centre Pye pressing is 40 grams. Note: It has been noted that on some copies of this variation the deadwax stampers are pressed off-center to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position. Beatles Pye Singles that are Confirmed to Exist: Hey Jude / Revolution (push-out and solid)

The Philips label (along with its subsidiary Mercury and their subsidiary Fontana) are unique in the fact that they have a 3-pronged push-out centre rather than the standard 4 that the other pressing plants adopted. The 60's saw these labels with a rough, textured surface and with a prominent ridge in the middle of the push-out centre. In 1968 the labels became smooth and whilst keeping the 3 prong push-out centre design the middle ridge was removed (which is how the Hey Jude contract pressings look like). A few very rare examples of this contract pressing have a surface which have the later style push-out centre but have a rough, textured label surface with CBS-style edge-ridge. It is believed that these are transition presses which were manufactured as Philips were moving from one label style to the other.

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a push-out centre Philips contract pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code is evident in the push-out centre on either side of the disc. 2: There is a double ridge (1mm apart) that runs around approximately 1mm in from the edge of the pushout centre. It's 11mm out from the centre hole and approximately 28mm in from the edge of the label. 3: The gap between the push-out centre and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm. 4: The tax code can be found at the 12 o'clock position. 5: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) can be found at the 9 o'clock position. 6: There are no stamper code letters stamped into the deadwax at the 3 o'clock position. 7: The matrix number can be found at the 6 o'clock position. The approximate weight of the push-out centre Philips pressing is 35 grams. Note: Other characters may be stamped into the deadwax. For example, on this particular copy the number '2' is stamped upside down to the right of the matrix number. Note: Some copies have the deadwax stampers pressed off-centre to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position. Beatles Philips singles that are confirmed to exist: Hey Jude / Revolution

It is currently believed that CBS were another company that only ever helped EMI out once with the production of a Beatles single. Instead of just having a textured center whilst the rest of the label is smooth (like the Oriole pressing) the whole label on the CBS contract pressing has a rough texture to it and is only smooth around the very edge of the label (to just 2mm in).

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a push-out center Pye pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc. 2: The ridge is approximately 12.5mm out from the centre hole. 3: The gap between the push-out center and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm. 4: There is an outer ring on the very edge of the label (which, as a whole, is textured) that runs from the edge to just 2-3mm in. This is the only smooth part of the label. This outer ring has been highlighted in the close-up underneath. 5: The tax code can be found at the 12 o'clock position. 6: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) is at the 9 o'clock position. 7. There are no stamper code letters stamped into the deadwax at the 3 o'clock position. 8: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the push-out centre CBS pressing is 35 grams. Note: It has been noted that on some copies of this variation the deadwax stampers are pressed off-centre to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position.

Solid Centre These are the solid center CBS contracts known distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc. 2: The ridge is approximately 35mm out from the centre hole. 3: There is an outer ring on the very edge of the label (which, as a whole, is textured) that runs from the edge to just 2-3mm in. This is the only smooth part of the label. This outer ring has been highlighted in the close-up underneath. 4: The tax code (KT) can be found at the 12 o'clock position. 5: The mother plate number (either single or double figured) is at the 9 o'clock position. 6. There are no stamper code letters stamped into the deadwax at the 3 o'clock position. 7: The matrix number is stamped at the 6 o'clock position in the deadwax. The approximate weight of the push-out centre CBS pressing is 41 grams. Note: It has been noted that on some copies of this variation the deadwax stampers are pressed off-centre to the label. If your copy is like this then all clock positions are given in relation to the matrix number when it's put at the 6 o'clock position. Beatles CBS singles that are confirmed to exist: Hey Jude / Revolution (Solid and Pushout)

In 1967 a small number of copies of 'Hello Goodbye' appeared which featured a 'Made in France' credit rather than the standard 'Made in Gt. Britain'. It transpired that EMI contracted the Pathé Marconi plant in France to press a small run of copies to be sent back into the UK and sold. There are two possible reasons why this happened - the first could be that as usual demand was overwhelming, and since Oriole had since been sold to CBS only Decca was initially available to help them out. However, because this was insufficient EMI sub-contracted their French plant to help keep on top of things. Another reason could be because there was currently an oil crisis going in that meant that the production of vinyl became incredibly expensive in the UK, and so EMI asked France to press a small run to help keep costs down. Maybe it was even a tax thing? Regardless of the reason the French copies of Hello Goodbye are today quite hard to find.

Solid Centre On the left here is a solid centre Pathé Marconi contract pressing. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code is evident in the push-out center on either side of the disc. 2: The standard UK matrix number is at the 6 o'clock position. Also a "Made In France" credit. 3: The tax code can be found at the 12 o'clock position 4: Right next to the tax code is the French matrix number. These are M3 256671 (side 1) and M3 256672 (side 2) 5: The motherplate number is pressed at the 9 o'clock position. 6: The stamper letters are pressed at the 3 o'clock position. The approximate weight of this pressing is 38 grams. Beatles Pathé Marconi singles that are confirmed to exist: Hello Goodbye / I Am The Walrus (solid centre)

This one is a bit of a puzzler to us. Originally it was thought that this was a Decca pressing, but on closer inpection the small indented ring between the ridge and the edge of the push-out centre was much further away from the edge than on a Decca pressing; almost centralised. Currently the parent company of this contract pressing is unknown and if anybody can shed any light onto this variation then please don't hesitate to get in touch. Since other non-Beatle related contract singles have also been identified with this exact same variation, along with the discovery of a second, identical 'Help' contract copy and an 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', it is not believed to be an error pressing.

As an update on this, it is believed to indeed be a Decca pressing but one which hasn't been cut correctly. The width of the gap in the centre pushout section is narrow like on an EMI pressing but if the centre of the disc was cut to the Decca width then the little extra ring in the centre would be correct for a Decca. All other matrix information seems to indicate Decca toom, but for now we can't verify it 100% until we find some Decca discs of the era displaying the same oddly-cut centre.

Push-Out Centre On the left here is a Beatles single with this unknown variation.. These are its distinguishing characteristics... 1: There is no tax code is evident in the push-out centre on either side of the disc. 2: The ridge is approximately 10mm in from the centerhole. 3: The gap between the ridge and the edge of the push-out centre is approximately 3 to 3.5mm. The ring is apparoximately 1mm in from the edge and 2mm out from the ridge. 4: The gap between the push-out centre and the body of the disc is approximately 1.5mm 5: The taxcode is stamped upside down at the 12 o'clock position. 6: The mother plate number is pressed at the 9 o'clock position. 7: There are no stamper letters to be found at the 3 o'clock position. 8. The matrix number is stamped in at the 6 o'clock position. The approximate weight of this pressing is 38 grams.

Written by Andy Pace
© Copyright November 2006, Mike Harbidge and Andy Pace. All rights reserved.

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