NZ Record Sleeves: MGM

MGM: 1955-63

His Master's Voice had been releasing 78s on the MGM label in New Zealand since 1949. It started manufacturing and distributing MGM seven-inch 45 rpm singles in 1955. Early singles were issued in the H.M.V. generic company sleeve before a unique MGM sleeves was introduced in 1957.

Sleeve 1955-57

Sleeve 1957-60?

I am unsure exactly when the above red sleeve was retired and the below green sleeve was introduced. It seems to have been round 1960. If you can shed light on this please leave a comment or email me. Thanks.

Label 1955-59

Sleeve 1960?-63

Label 1959-63

MGM: 1963-71

In 1962, MGM distributed a brown sleeve design for New Zealand. This sleeve design was used between 1962 and 1968, with at least four different versions being printed. The first version of this sleeve had the same print on both sides. I assume it may have been used widely between 1962 to 1968, however I do not possess a copy of this.

Front of MGM brown sleeve, 1962-68

In line with other His Master's Voice (NZ) Ltd. labels like Parlophone and Columbia, the MGM sleeve between 1962 to 1964 had a "Here are some outstanding LPs..." advertisement printed on its rear. This is the second version of the MGM brown sleeve.

Rear of second brown MGM sleeve, 1962-64

Alternate variant of second brown MGM sleeve, rear.

Between late 1964 (or early 1965) until 1966 (or, pending a version of the MGM sleeve I'm yet to see, 1968), MGM followed its His Master's Voice (NZ) Ltd cohorts in printing an advertisement on the rear of their sleeves featuring portable turntables.

Two variants of the third brown MGM sleeve, (likely) 1964-66.

Red tri-panel version.

Blue tri-panel version.

Possibly between the same years, a similar MGM sleeve version was distributed with a quad-panel ad featuring portable radios. Whether this came before or after the tri-panel portable turntables ad, I am unsure.

Rear of fourth MGM brown sleeve, with a quad-panel ad for portable radios, 1964-66?

It is possible that an MGM brown sleeve with the "Young Internationals" Air NZ ad printed on the rear exists, which would make it the fifth and final brown MGM sleeve to be distributed. I have not been able to get my hands on this.