Peruvian Beatles Albums

Black and Silver Odeon

In Peru, the Beatles' releases essentially paralleled those issued in England, although there were a few differences, and Odeon of Peru occasionally chose to issue covers that were unique to that country.

The label that was original to most Beatles releases prior to the beginning of 1966 was the "old style" black label with an Odeon logo at the top. Although stereo LP's came out as early as For Sale, until the release of Rubber Soul, stereo albums are quite uncommon.

Those albums which were issued on this label style are:

NOTE: The first cover to With the Beatles lacks the Odeon logo. Add $15 for these copies. Later copies have the logo.

NOTE 2: The covers to Hard Day's Night and For Sale are unique to Peru. The cover to Help! has the title underneath the group, in a manner unique to Peru.

NOTE 3: Something New is the only album listed above that is NOT original to the black and silver label style. See below.

NOTE 4: Since Peru was not issuing Beatles records until sometime in late Summer, 1963, the Please Please Me LP was probably released at about the same time as With the Beatles.

Rainbow Label Capitol

The only LP originally released on this label style was Something New, which had been issued in the USA on Capitol. The album's stay on the rainbow label was short-lived; it was quickly replaced by the black Odeon label.

The album which was originally issued on this label style is as follows:

Blue and Black Odeon Label

In mid-1966, the Odeon company changed their LP style to a new blue and black label. All of the previous LP's were reissued onto the new label, first in mono only and then in stereo. New albums were issued in both mono and stereo through Sgt. Pepper, although these mono copies are now much harder to find than their stereo counterparts.

Those albums which were originally issued on this label style are:

NOTE: Reissues of earlier albums sell for $25 or less. Theoretically, mono reissues ought to fetch more.

NOTE 2: The Beatles was originally issued on the Odeon label, with a top-loading cover and black sleeves like the UK release. That album is harder to find.

Apple Albums

In early 1969, all new Beatles releases switched to the Apple label. Here is a list of Peruvian Beatles albums on the Apple label:

NOTE: First pressings of Abbey Road sport covers that have "Apple Records" in the upper left.

NOTE 2: A Collection of Beatles Oldies was issued in 1970 and was given its Parlophone catalog number. However, since it came out so late, it was pressed on the Apple label instead of Odeon.

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 called 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 called VG+.

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 called VG.

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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