NZ Record Sleeves: Decca

His Master's Voice New Zealand Ltd had been releasing 78s on the Decca label since 1948. In 1956 it started releasing seven-inch vinyl singles.

Decca: 1956-62

From 1956 to 1962 Decca shared a common sleeve with London Records, another His Master's Voice (NZ) licensed label.

Sleeve 1956-62

Label 1956-64

Decca: 1962-68

In 1962 Decca singles started to be issued in an unique, orange Decca sleeve. The first unique Decca sleeve was this orange and white-striped sleeve. It was in use between 1962 and 1968. There are five versions of this sleeve used between these years.

Front of sleeve, 1962-68. The first version of this sleeve, which was the more common version, had the same print on both sides.

Label 1964-68

The first sleeve was printed with the same design featured on both sides. Another version of the sleeve had LP advertisements printed on its rear. The bigger sellers may have been advertised on the sleeve. This is seen on the second version of the orange Decca sleeve.

Rear of the second orange Decca sleeve, 1962-64.

The third version of the sleeve featured ads for portable turntables on the back, as many His Master's Voice (NZ) Ltd distributed labels did at the time. I am unsure of the exact dates this sleeves was used, although it is likely between late 1964 and June 1967. The prices in the ads are in pounds, shillings and pence so it is before July 1967 when the decimal currency was introduced in New Zealand.

The fourth version of the sleeve featured ads for portable radios, like His Master's Voice (NZ) labels also did at the time. I am unsure which came first between the turntable ads sleeve or this portable radio ads sleeve; if you can shed a light on this please get in touch. It is also priced in pounds, shillings and pence, indicating that it is before the July 1967 decimalisation of New Zealand's currency.

Rear of the fourth orange Decca sleeve, possibly between 1964-66.

In 1967, the fifth and final version of the orange Decca sleeve was in use, featuring the Air New Zealand "Young Internationals" advertisement seen on other His Master's Voice (NZ) Ltd labels' sleeves at the time. This sleeve likely ran between July 1967, when decimalisation took effect, until early 1968 when we saw the introduction of Decca's dark blue label design in New Zealand.

Rear of the fifth and final orange Decca sleeve, Jul 1967-early 1967.

Decca: 1968-78

In 1968 the light blue sleeve was introduced. This followed the change in Decca label design from the bright orange colour seen from 1964, to the dark blue version seen from 1968 and onwards. Up until 1972 it had 'Distributed in New Zealand by His Master's Voice (NZ) Ltd' printed on the bottom of the sleeve. This light blue Decca sleeve was also commonly printed with the same print on both sides.

Front of sleeve, 1968-72.

Rear of light blue Decca sleeve, 1968-73?

This light blue sleeve was mainly printed with the same design featured on both sides. But for some copies, it featured a BOAC Mini-Fares ad, likely between 1968 until possibly 1973.

In 1972 His Master's Voice became EMI and the sleeve changed accordingly. I am unsure when this sleeve was retired. If you can shed light on this please leave a comment or email me.