45-SLEEVES - HOME
Revised 20/3/12

MERCURY
OZ Labels and Company Sleeves 1955-1989

Labels
45001 - 1955
to
.
45017 - 1956
to
45061 - 1956
45075 - 1956
to
45383 - 1961
45349 - 1960
US matrix no. below record no. replaced with (A) and (B)
Mercury Records in Australia actually started as Esquire records. 78’s were released on Esquire until about 1955, when Esquire acquired the rights to the US Mercury calalogue. The Esquire label was dropped in favour of Mercury 78’s started appearing on a blue label issued by Astor and the new 45’s appeared on a dull black label, gold print with the logo being “Esquire Mercury”.
In 1962 the label closed, to re-appear as Philips “Recording Mercury” after being taken over by Philips.
Large print
Large print
Small print
Black label - large print
45296 - 1958
to
45298 - 1958
"Antler" - 3 releases
45384 - 1961
to
45492 - 1962
 45403 - 1961
A few releases
45485 - 1962
45488 - 1962
Also issued on yellow label
Philips recording Mercury
BF 4 - 1962
to
BF 63 - 1963
Label discontinued
1968 - Label revived by Phonogram
Distributed by Phonogram Recordings PTY Limited
 Distributed by Phonogram Recordings PTY Limited
Distributed by Phonogram Recordings PTY Limited
Distributed by Phonogram Recordings PTY Limited
RF 1 - 1968
to
RF 34  - 1970
 RF 19 - 1969
EMI pressing
RF 23 - 1970
First with international
number (6052 001) 
127342 MCF - 1970
Distributed by Phonogram Recordings PTY Limited
Distributed by
Phonogram PTY Limited
Distributed by
Phonogram PTY Limited
Made in Australasia by
PolyGram Records
1970
to
1980
6008 035 - 1978
to
1980
6008 035 - 1978
1980
to
.
Thin oval - ®
Thick oval - no ®
1986 *)
1986 *)
*) Two series were used:  884 000 and 888 000. The records could have both designs or one of them only.
1988
to
1989
874 932 - 1989
.........
Sleeves
Range
Front
Back
Details
No 1
45001 - 1955
to
Around 45050 - 1956
Astor distribution
   Cut straight  Glued bottom/right  
No 2
Around 45050 - 1956
to
.
Small hole
Astor distribution
   Cut straight  Glued bottom/right  
No 3
.
to
Late 1961
Large hole
Astor distribution
   Cut straight  Glued bottom/right  
No 4
Late 1961
to
45492 - 1962
Astor distribution
 
 Cut straight  Glued bottom/right  
No 5
Jan 1963
to
BF 63 - 1963
Label discontinued
Distributed by Philips Electrical Industries
   Cut straight  Plastic sleeve  
1968 - Label revived by Phonogram
No 6
RF 1 - 1968
to
1969
Distributed in Australia by 
Phonogram Recordings
Pty. Limited
...
For sleeve details
(different colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight - cut corners  Inside glued  
No 7
1969
to
1971
...
For sleeve details
(different types/colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight - cut corners  Inside glued  
No 8
1971
to
.
Distributed in Australia by 
Phonogram Pty. Limited
   Cut straight - cut corners  Inside glued  
No 9
.
to
1976
Distributed in Australia by 
Phonogram Pty. Limited
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
No 10
1976
to
1978
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
No 11
1978
to
1983

 
...
For sleeve details
(different types/colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
No 12
Late 1982
to
,
...
For sleeve details
(different colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
No 13
.
to
1985
...
For sleeve details
(different colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
No 14
1985
to
1987
...
For sleeve details
(different colours)
see Phonogram Group
....
   Cut straight  Inside glued  

 
No 15
1987
to
1989
   Cut straight  Inside glued  
Sleeve used for promotional records
P 1
1960
Information added using typewriter
Stan 'The Man' Rofe (1933-2003) was Melbourne's first and most influential rock'n'roll disc jockey. He is remembered as playing the first rock and roll music on Melbourne radio 3KZ in 1956 .
   Cut straight  Inside glued - side opening  
..
Contact for corrections
...
Thanks to Graham Wells, Australia for scans in this section
....
Thanks to Jim Barnes - Top 40 Research - Australia  for scans in this section
....
45 Discography Mercury Records from Global Dog Productions
.....