The BBC Records Label
BBC Records proper began in 1970 when the new name was first used and sleeve designs started to appear with the BBC Records logo in angled blocks. From 1971 all records, with the exception of the standardised design of the Wildlife and Sound Effects Series records, were BBC Records and labels switched to the new company name and with a red harmonograph (not Spirograph) icon on a bright yellow label.
As with the previous switch from BBC Radio Enterprises to the BBC label the transition was not completed at the same time for sleeve designs and labels. Decimal Points (REMO 46, 1970) is branded BBC Records on the sleeve but used the concentric circles with Enterprises ‘e’ as the graphic design and label was still the older ‘e’ style..
1970-71
The BBC Handbook 1972 surveyed the business. Sales were pretty flat in 1970-71. “During the year ending 31 March 1971 over 152,000 records were sold through the retail trade or by mail order.”
Eclecticism was still the watchword though. “Among the year’s best -selling records were Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a long- playing disc Singing Along with the Girl Guides, and the music from The Six Wives of Henry VIII which entered the charts and has sold over 24,000 copies.”
The BBC Handbook 1973 seemed relieved at the progress that had been made. “By 1971 BBC Records was an established label. Research revealed that both press and public awareness of the label had at least doubled since the previous year and the retail catalogue’s wide range of contents had grown to over 150 titles.” No word on overall sales though.
Harmonograph
The same harmonograph concept was used on a long run of Study Series sleeve designs and also the Doctor Who theme single.
This BBC Records Catalogue Dates from 1970 and was seemingly given away with every copy of Decimal Points too. The new logo is in full use at this time – the cover design leaving no doubt as to what this label was called now
Eric and Ernie pose with a copy of their first BBC Records LP It’s Morecambe And Wise.
