The following is a gallery of the Apple LP label and the major changes it underwent from when the Beatles began it in 1968 up to the present day. These do not cover the little variations that are unique to each Beatles album - those are covered in the individual album labelographies. Described here are the overall changes made by EMI / Apple that affected every pressing in the catalogue. If there is no mono example for a label type it means that LP was only available in stereo at that point.

It should be noted that labels 5 and 6 have caused great problems for us. Originally it was thought that an indented "33 1/3" text indicated a slightly later, mid to late 70s issue but that is now not believed to be true. It seems as though both forms were in production simultaneously - most definitely towards the end of the 1970s, as the white and green vinyl copies of "Let It Be" and "Abbey Road" prove. As such, for now at least, it is only through analysis of the label paper that we can accurately determine an early 70s issue from a later 70s.

The information in this guide is in constant development and may be subject to change. All of the images are clickable and open in a new window at a larger resolution.

If you believe we have missed something in this list, or can help us with any gaps that need filling, then please get in touch.

Label 1
'Dark apple', SIUK, 'An EMI Recording...' text NOT present

Mono	.....	Stereo

This is the first incarnation of the Apple label, first appearing on the White Album from November 1968. All early varieties of this label up until the 1970s were on a very dark apple label, in places the green background was so dark it was almost impossible to read some of the label text. This wasn't rectified until the early 1970s. The actual shade of greens and whites used on the original apples vary quite a bit across different examples so dating an Apple label by darkness of colour isn't really wise. There are far more subtle variations of label text to help.

The traits the first label has are:
- Relatively dark coloured apple, although shadings can shift quite a bit.
- 'Sold In UK subject to resale price conditions, see price lists' towards the top of the label on both sides, a tax law requirement.
- The left hand side of the label should only have 33 1/3, Mfd. in U.K. and the Side 1 / Side 2 details. This denotes the very earliest type of the label and was actually soon changed to the second label type below when it was noticed that there was no mention of the EMI record company on the labels, despite Apple being a subsidiary!

Albums that were originally released on this label
The White Album (The Beatles)

Label 2
'Dark apple', SIUK, 'An EMI Recording' present on ONE line

Mono	.....	Stereo

A minor addition to the label is the text 'An EMI Recording' to the left of the labels, above the 33 1/3, all on one line. This variety of labels seems to have been present simultaneously with label 1 and is regarded as absolutely contemporary with it, although as far as a precise chronology goes it did appear slightly after label 1.

In regards to the White Album, it is very common to find early copies which display a mix of label 1 and 2 in the same album. This is further proof how close together both varieties were produced and in regards to rarity or value, is negligible in this case.

Albums that were originally released on this label:
(The White Album (The Beatles))

Label 3
'Dark apple', SIUK, 'An EMI Recording' present on TWO lines in parentheses

Mono	.....	Stereo

At some point during early 1969, as far as we know coinciding with the release of Yellow Submarine in January 1969, the text 'An EMI Recording' has now been shuffled to take up TWO lines above the 33 1/3 text. It is also now enclosed in brackets and quotation marks. It's not really known why this change occurred, perhaps to make the left side of the label less conspicuous.

We haven't yet seen a Yellow Submarine label with the type 2 label so we are presuming by January 1969 all new pressings of the White Album were done so on label 3.

Albums that were originally released on this label:
Yellow Submarine

Label 4
'Dark apple', SIUK removed, 'An EMI Recording' present on TWO lines in parentheses

Stereo

This label would appeared in early 1969 to coincide with the removal of the 'Sold In UK...' blurb but didn't appear on a new Beatles album until 'Abbey Road' in September 1969. The labels are otherwise unchanged and continue as such for a few years.

Albums that were originally released on this label:
Abbey Road
Let It Be

Label 5
Thinner text, slightly pale apple, matte labels

Stereo

In the very early 1970s, perhaps around late 1971 / 1972, the labels changed slightly. The label has a paler, more washed out colour allowing all the text to be read clearly. This is hard to tell in photographs but is fairly noticeable when in your hand. The most obvious difference colour-wise is comparison of the rimtext - the earlier labels had a very vibrant green text whereas this type is much paler and clearer to discern. Although side two does still seem to suffer from being difficult to read the band name and producer credit.

Although the font is still the same, the text is now narrower and appears taller and as such is slightly more compact in the centre of the labels.

While the indented "33 1/3" text is also immediately noticeable as a difference with that of label 4, this is not in fact an accurate way to date this label. It is apparent that from the point of this labels' introduction in around 1971 / 1972 both this newer indented "33 1/3" text and the NON-indented "33 1/3" was present simultaneously.

The way to discern a 5th label from a 6th, is that this one has a matte feel to it and sometimes, but not always, a faint raised rim around the edge of the disc which is quite visible in the picture we have here.

Albums that were originally released on this label:
None.

Label 6
Thin text, slightly pale apple, NON-matte labels

Stereo

This label is identical to label 5, remembering that the non-indented "33 1/3" text on the example picture above is NOT indicative of a label 6. In fact this anomaly co-existed with the indented type all through the 1970's as far as we can tell. Therefore, the way to discern this label 6 from that of label 5 is that the paper of this label is less 'papery' and has a smooth, almost shiny effect to it. The picture example above displays this quite nicely, a definite circular pattern can be seen in this shinier paper which is not visible at all on label 5.

It is believed this variant probably appeared some time around 1973 or 1974.

Label 7
Rimtext encircles the entire label, indented 33 1/3

Stereo

In 1983 the label changed subtley once more, this time the rimtext was added to and so now circles round the entire label rim, reading:

Apple Records - All rights of the producer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting are prohibited. Manufactured in the UK by EMI Records Limited.

This label text coincides with a rimtext change in the Parlophone label which occurred in 1983 so we can pretty confidently assume the same change was forced upon Apple at the same time. Some copies came with a sleeve that incorporated the CD release's catalogue number so we know this was a label design used up to at least 1988.

Label 8
Change in rimtext and almost yellow coloured apple

Stereo

This variation likely appeared in the very late 1980s or early 1990's. Interestingly the rimtext has altered once more, returning to being split in two sections, but does not seem to reflect that of the Parlophone text. Label 8 reads:

All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, renting, public performance and broadcasting of this record prohibited.

'Owner of the work reproduced' in particular doesn't tally with any other Apple or Parlophone rimtext.

Other changes is a smaller text in general with an alteration in font used.

Label 9
Identical to previous, with dish effect

Stereo

his variation is the 2003 series, the most up to date issue and is currently available to buy new. It is identical to label 8 but is identifiable by the dish effect under the record label itself. In this case this indicates it is pressed in Holland despite the 'Mfd. in the UK' text.

Credits: Forum member Baard for Label 2 mono