Spanish Single Releases

Identification and Price Guide

Green Odeon Label With Logo at Left

The first single in Spain credited to the Beatles was released at first on the short-lived green label with the logo at the left. The artist's name is at the top in large letters. The label style was changed in 1964.

Green Odeon Label With Large "ODEON"

In mid-1964, Spanish Odeon changed to the label backdrop that would last them through most of the 1960's, although the color would soon change. This label has the Odeon logo at the top along with the word "odeon" in large letters. The earlier "Please, Please Me" single was reissued onto this label style.

Blue Label With Large "ODEON"

In mid-1966, the label color was changed to match the color of the LP label.

NOTE: Because of the length of the a-side (7:11), the "Hey Jude" single is numbered as an EP. Therefore, it is not listed here.

Blue EMI Label

After the EEC numbering took over, Spanish Odeon changed to a label backdrop that promoted their participation in EMI. The old numbering system was dropped in favor of the EEC system, although the first Beatles single obtained a transitional number. This label style was dark blue with an Odeon logo and bars at the top and an EMI logo at the bottom. Until 1978, the prefix chosen for Spain was "1J".

NOTE 1: The entire catalog was reissued onto this label and is generally not collected. "Please, Please Me" was reissued with a picture sleeve in 1971.

NOTE 2: In 1972, the label color was changed to light blue. A "new" single, "All Together Now"/"Hey Bulldog" (1J006-04982) was issued on that label style, selling for $20 in NM condition WITH the picture sleeve. In 1978, the prefix for all titles was changed to "10C".

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, 2007 Frank Daniels