Argentine LP Releases

Identification and Price Guide

Old Style Yellow/Green Odeon Pops Label

In mid-1963, the Beatles were rising to popularity in Argentina. When it came time for the group to release their first LP there, Odeon Records was using the same "Odeon Pops" label that they had used throughout the late 1950's. This label style was yellow with green print. A small Odeon logo appears at the top of the label.

Black and Yellow Odeon Pops Label

In 1964, Argentine Odeon changed to the label backdrop that would last them through most of the 1960's. This label was black and yellow with Odeon "pops" at the top. The first albums were released in mono only, but when stereo records came along, the word "ESTEREO" was added to the label and a stereo sticker was placed on the cover.

NOTE: The Sgt. Pepper album appears in a single-pocket cover.

NOTE 2: The earlier LP's were reissued onto this style and sell for about $40 to $50 each in NM condition.

NOTE 3: The Por Siempre album was released in 1971 on a label style resembling the original 1960's style. It also used the SLDS catalog number; there were other LP's released with that numbering system in 1971.

Old Style Blue Series Label

This label style and catalog number indicates a special edition in Odeon's "blue series." This LP was released originally in 1965, shortly after Help!. It continued to be available in later years on a light blue label with black print (c. 1968), a medium blue label with white logo (c. 1972), and then on the green label and later label styles common to the Odeon Pops series.

NOTE: After the re-numbering in the 1970's, the LP received the new number 4506.

Green Odeon Pops Label

Beginning in 1968, the new Odeon label was green and white, with black printing. Although only one new Beatles album appeared on this label before the switch to Apple, all of the earlier LP's were reissued onto this style.

NOTE: On this and the later Apple issue, the cover is top-opening, embossed, and numbered.

NOTE 2: The earlier albums retained their (S)LDS numbering until approximately 1972. Those albums are common on the green label and seldom sell for more than $20 each. In 1972, those albums received new numbers in EMI's 6000 series, although they remained on the green label. Beginning in 1974, many of them were renumbered again, appearing on other EMI labels; these are usually not collected.

Dark Apple Label With "ODEON"

As the Beatles made the transition to Apple, their new LP's came to be released on the Apple label in Argentina. For a single LP only, The Beatles (which was still "new"), a fancier ODEON logo appears at the left side of the label. Other Apple albums simply had the word "ODEON", in capital letters, in this space.

NOTE: Later on (c. 1972), the word "ODEON" was removed from the Apple labels, and the color was lightened. In 1976, the Apple color was switched to white.

A Word About Condition

The condition of a record is all-important as to determining its value. The values shown are drastically reduced for lesser condition copies, as shown below:

Near Mint, or NM, condition records are unscratched. If the label has stickers or tape, this must be noted. Essentially, they look like they just came from the store.

Very Good Plus, or VG+, condition records will have very few scratches. Without close inspection, they might pass for Near Mint copies. A VG+ record normally sells for half what a NM copy goes for. In Europe, this condition is known as Excellent, EX.

Very Good, or VG, condition records have a fair amount of scratches, but they by no means appear "beat up". A VG condition record normally sells for one fourth of the NM price. In Europe, this condition is known as Very Good Plus.

Very Good Minus, or VG-, condition records are starting to appear quite scratched. Still, when played, they play through, although the surface noise is becoming distracting. Many singles are commonly found in this condition. A VG- condition record normally sells for one sixth of the NM price. In Europe, this condition is known as Very Good.

Good, or G, condition records look scratched--basically all over, but they'll play through well enough to enjoy the song. A G condition record sells for one tenth of the NM price. [Some dealers also use a grade of G+, which sells for one eighth of the NM price.]

Fair, or fr, condition records are generally worthless unless the record is rare. They're scratched up and have distracting surface noise, but they're not completely ruined. No chips missing, and not cracked. They sell for one twentieth of the NM price or less.

Poor, or pr, condition records are basically ruined. They may be warped, cracked, chipped, or otherwise unsuitable for collecting. Most collectors only accept poor condition copies of something really rare until a better one comes along. They're virtually worthless.

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This page © 2006 Frank Daniels