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Apple Records was officially founded in 1968 as another sub-division of The Beatles’ own Apple Corps, which was established as a small group of companies (Apple Retail, Apple Publishing, Apple Electronics and so on). When The Beatles started to release their LPs on the Apple label, they were still under contract with Parlophone and the LPs were included in the ordinary Parlophone record number series. The Apple label looks very different from the usual Parlophone LP labels, but some of the details are the same. The most useful detail for dating “The Beatles” and “Yellow Submarine”, is that the text “Sold in U.K. subject to resale…” was printed on the labels of the original pressings.

Dark green label with an image of an apple on side 1 and sliced apple on side 2. Publishing year printed as “(p) 1968” with small (p). “Apple Records – All rights…” printed at the start perimeter print. “Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” printed above the title. The left hand side of the label should only have “33 1/3”, “Mfd. in U.K.” and the Side 1 / Side 2 details. These labels were printed without “An E.M.I. Recording”  text on the left side of the labels, but absence of this text was a random error. Label used November 1968.

EMI quickly corrected the error in November 1968 was added “An EMI Recording” text to the left of the labels, above the 33 1/3, all on one line. Label used between November 1968 and summer 1969.

Dark green label. Publishing year printed as “(p) 1968” with small (p). “Apple Records – All rights…” printed at the start perimeter print. “Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” printed above the title. “An EMI Recording” present on two lines in parentheses. 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. Label used between January 1969 and July 1969.

The text “Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” ceased to be printed on the labels in July 1969. Publishing year printed as “(p) 1969” with small (p) and “An EMI Recording” present on two lines in parentheses. Label used between July 1969 and September 1970.

EMI changes the copyright symbol in September 1970. Apple albums issued before September 25, 1970 have publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). Albums issued after September 25, 1970 have publishing year printed with large copyright symbol (P). First reissue of the “Let It Be” with green apple logo on the back sleeve (November 6, 1970) have a large copyright symbol.

The label still has a dark green color. Publishing year printed with large (P) and “An EMI Recording” present on two lines in parentheses. Label used between September 1970 and early 1971.

Labels are becoming lighter. Dark green color changes to light green. Over time, the green color changes to a yellow tint. The text does not change for a long time. But gradually the thick print changes to thin. Changing the quality of paper for labels. In the early 70′s label can be found on matte paper. In the late 70′s paper is glossy. All this labels used between 1971 and 1982.

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 1987.

Change in rimtext and almost yellow coloured apple. 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: “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”. Label used between 1987 and 1991.

Records with identical label design was reissued in 2003. This vinyl was manufactured by Haarlem, Holland. These records were made ​​by order of EMI and intended for export to England. The only difference is a dish effect underneath the labels impressed into the vinyl itself. Therefore, labels have identical rim text. But this is not English edition.

The Beatles (The White Album), Apple PMS 7067/7068, mono, November 22, 1968. 2LPs set. Full laminated white gatefold cover have flaps on the left and right sides of the open gatefold with openings at the top. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. All sleeves are double stereo “Stereo PCS 7067-8″ and mono “Mono PMC 7067-8″ catalog numbers located at the bottom edge and title “The Beatles” located at the top edge. The stamped seven-digit number appears in gray on a slight downward angle towards the lower right corner. The back of the mono cover is completely blank. The right panel of the open gatefold has the four John Kelly black and white portraits running left to right (John, Paul, George and Ringo). The left panel has the titles to the album’s songs in gray on 12 row. The records were housed in black inner sleeves with a die-cut circular opening on one side to expose the Apple label. These sleeves were most likely manufactured by Harrison & Sons.

The White Album conteined: Four 28.8×20 cm. glossy John Kelly color portraits of the band, were normally inserted into the left-side sleeve, sometimes with light-colored separator sheets.

And 85,8 x57, 2 cm. While Hamilton collage poster, with the lyrics on the back, were normally inserted into the right-side sleeve.

Although the sequential numbering of the covers remains somewhat of a mystery, it appears that the first 300,000 numbers were generally held for mono covers, and the numbers 300,001 to 600,000 were held for stereo. The first 300,000 numbers were not used exclusively for mono covers. Some numbers in the 200,000 to 300,000 range were used for stereo covers paired with export albums having Parlophone labels. Some later mono covers were printed with numbers over 600,000, perhaps as high as 630,000.

1. First pressing, November 22, 1968. Dark green label with an image of an apple on side 1 and sliced apple on side 2. First label variation have “33 1/3″ text at the top line of the left side and “Sold In U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” text. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). The labels are quite dark although the actual shade of green varies greatly among copies. With or without KT tax code. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 709-1; Side 2: XEX 710-1; Side 3: XEX 711-1; Side 4: XEX 712-1.

2. Second pressing, November, 1968. Dark green label with added “An E.M.I. Recording” text to the left of the labels, above the “33 1/3″ text and “Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” text. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). With or without KT tax code. Some later copies had KTJ tax code. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 709-1; Side 2: XEX 710-1; Side 3: XEX 711-1; Side 4: XEX 712-1.

Possible both varieties have been produced at a similar date. It is also quite possible to have one side with the 1st label and the other side with a 2nd label.

3. Third pressing, summer 1981 until August 1982. Light green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines and with Harrisongs and Starling credits after song titles on each side. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Unlaminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. Without number. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 709-1; Side 2: XEX 710-1; Side 3: XEX 711-1; Side 4: XEX 712-1.

Variation A.

Variation B. Later pressing with green-yellow label.

The Beatles (The White Album), Apple PCS 7067/7068, stereo, November 22, 1968. 2LPs set. Full laminated white gatefold cover have flaps on the left and right sides of the open gatefold with openings at the top. All sleeves are double stereo “Stereo PCS 7067-8″ and mono “Mono PMC 7067-8″ catalog numbers located at the bottom edge and title “The Beatles” located at the top edge. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. The stamped seven-digit number appears in gray on a slight downward angle towards the lower right corner. Late copy will have a more contrasting numbers.

Stereo covers have “Stereo” printed in gray towards the upper right corner. But sometimes we find the earliest stereo copies of the White Album complete with sleeves without “Stereo”.

The White Album contained four 28.8×20 cm. glossy John Kelly color portraits of the band, were normally inserted into the left-side sleeve, sometimes with light-colored separator sheets, and 85,8 x57, 2 cm. While Hamilton collage poster, with the lyrics on the back, were normally inserted into the right-side sleeve. The records were housed in black inner sleeves with a die-cut circular opening on one side to expose the Apple label.

1. First pressing, November 22, 1968. Dark green label with an image of an apple on side 1 and sliced apple on side 2. First label variation have “33 1/3″ text at the top line of the left side and “Sold In U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” text. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). The labels are quite dark although the actual shade of green varies greatly among copies. With or without KT tax code. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1.

2. Second pressing, November, 1968. Dark green label with added “An E.M.I. Recording” text to the left of the labels, above the “33 1/3″ text and “Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” text. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). With or without KT tax code. Some later copies had KTJ tax code. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1 (possible -2); Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1 (possible -2).

Possible both varieties have been produced at a similar date. It is also quite possible to have one side with the 1st label and the other side with a 2nd label.

Misprint. This variation has the spelling error “Rocky Racoon” with only one ‘c’ on side 2. This one was very quickly rectified although there are quite a few more copies out there with this mistake.

3. Third pressing, summer 1969 – September 1970. Dark green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on one line. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). With or without KT tax code. Full laminated white gatefold cover without flaps and with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. The printed number appears in gray on a slight downward angle towards the lower right corner. Six-digit number does not contain a “0″ before the numbers.

Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in white paper Apple inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1 (or -2); Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1 (or -2).

4. Fourth pressing, October 1970 – early 1971. Dark green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on one line. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Without KT tax code. Full laminated white gatefold cover without flaps and with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. The six-digit number appears in gray on the lower right corner. Some copies of the covers without number on the front. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in white paper Apple inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1 (or -2); Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1 (or -2).

5. Fifth pressing, spring 1971. Dark green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Full laminated white gatefold cover without flaps and with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. Some copies of the covers with six-digit number on the front. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in white paper Apple inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1. On any of the four sides can be met numbers 1 or 2. All possible combinations.

6. Six pressing, summer 1971-1973. Light green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Full laminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. Some copies may have a number on the front side. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1 (or 2); Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1 (or 2). Light green labels with “Northern Songs. NCB.” and “Apple Publishing Ltd” credits.

Variation A.

Variation B. 

7. Seven pressing, summer 1976-1980. Light green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Full laminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. Without number. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves.

Variation A. Light green labels with “Northern Songs. NCB.”, “Harrisongs” and “Startling M. Ltd” credits. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-2; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1.

Variation B. Light green labels with “Northern Songs. NCB.” , “Apple Publishing Ltd” and “Harrisongs” credits. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-3; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1.

Variation C. Light green labels with “Northern Songs. NCB.”, “Harrisongs” and “Startling Music Ltd” credits. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-3; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-1.

Variation D. Light green labels with “Northern Songs. NCB.”, “Harrisongs” and “Startling M. Ltd” credits. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-1; Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-2.

8. Eighth pressing, 1981-1982. Green-yellow label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. Publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Unlaminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides. The front of the cover has “The BEATLES” embossed in raised block letters. Without number. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-1; Side 2: YEX 710-5 (possible -4); Side 3: YEX 711-1; Side 4: YEX 712-2.

Misprint with mono label on the Side 4:

9. Ninth pressing, 1983-1986. Green-yellow label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. The rimtext reached all the way around the labels. Importantly, around the 5 ‘o’ clock position in the rimtext the wording is: “UNAUTHORISED COPYING, HIRING, RENTING, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND BROADCASTING…”. Unlaminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides. Without number. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: YEX 709-5C-1-1; Side 2: YEX 710-6; Side 3: YEX 711-2; Side 4: YEX 712-3-1-1. On any of the four sides can be met numbers 1 or 2. All possible combinations.

10. Tenth pressing, 1987. Yellow label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines. The rimtext also now doesn’t run all the way around the edge of the label. “ALL RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER…” printed at the start perimeter print. Importantly, around the 6 ‘o’ clock position in the rimtext the wording is: “UNAUTHORISED COPYIN, HIRING, RENTING, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND BROADCASTING…”. Unlaminated white gatefold cover with openings at the sides and with barcode on the back side. Without number. Album contained four color portraits of the band and collage poster. The records were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves.

Yellow Submarine, Apple PMC 7070, January 17, 1969, mono. Album have front laminated flipback sleeve. Covers were manufactured by Garrod and Lofthouse. The mono covers have PMC 7070 and “Also available on Stereo No. PCS 7070″ in the upper right corner and red lines above and below rear sleevenote. The initial mono covers have no information on the flaps. Later mono sleeves have “Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patent No. 943,895″ on the lower flap. The records were housed in black inner sleeves with a die-cut circular opening on one side to expose the Apple label. These sleeves were most likely manufactured by Harrison & Sons.

1. First pressing, January 17, 1969. Dark green label with an image of an apple on side 1 and sliced apple on side 2. Label have “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines and “Sold In U.K. subject to resale price conditions, see price lists” text. Publishing year printed with small copyright symbol (p). Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 715-1; Side 2: XEX 716-1.

2. Second pressing, summer 1981 until August 1982. Ligth green label with “An E.M.I. Recording” text on two lines and publishing year printed with big copyright symbol (P). Album have unlaminated cover. The record were housed in standard white paper inner sleeves. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 715-1; Side 2: XEX 716-1.