Deutsche Grammophon
Parent label: Deutsche Grammophon GmbH
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German label.
Label Code: LC 0173 / LC 09173.
Deutsche Grammophon, or Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft, has been the main classical music label of German record company Deutsche Grammophon GmbH since 1949.
Prior to that date, the label Grammophon was used until 1943, in conjunction with the Nipper dog. Between 1942-1948 the Siemens Spezial label was used.
Note: The branding "Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft" was used until 1970. These releases also belong here as it is one and the same label.
For company credits which use the "Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft" / "Deutsche Grammophon" trademark, use the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft profile.
In 1949, the tulip crown is introduced, after the trademark rights to HMV/Nipper had been sold to EMI (Electrola).
In 1957, the "cartouche", bordered by a garland of tulips, is introduced.
Series associated with Deutsche Grammophon:
Deutsche Grammophon Debut: This series presents upcoming, young, performing talents.
AvantGarde (2): Series devoted to (then) contemporary music, released in late 1960s & early 1970s. Four 6-LP box-set collections also issued.
Deutsche Grammophon Resonance: In this series, older, often very good, recordings are being reissued at a cheap price.
Collectors Edition (2): Series of box-set compilations.
Festival Of Hits: Budget compilation series initially made for the Canadian market, with a distinctive visual theme.
Releases from the 1950's and 1960's, and also from 2004 onwards, often come in different versions. Therefore it's recommended to mention the graphical layout of the cover or centre labels. Otherwise the following information should be added to the Release Notes on submissions:
1. Branding: Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft or just Deutsche Grammophon (both for cover and labels, may differ).
2. Centre-labels border: tulip or straight border (the latter replaced the former in 1969).
3. Centre-labels colour when there's a tulip border (darker or brighter yellow - difficult as you have to compare or know the two). Issues/pressings with dark yellow background are even older, see label images for an example of a darker and a brighter centrelabel with tulip borders (darker is a 1956 print, the brighter a 1959 print).4. If Stereo is on a red background on the front cover or on a red sticker ("Stereo Compatible" - stereo reissues of 17 / 18 / 19 mono series releases).5. Gatefold cover with stitched spine (older issue/pressing).6. For those with stitched spine: mention if it's an illustrated or generic front cover (oldest releases have a generic cover design).7. Centre label features "Alle Hersteller- ..." (until 1966) or "Made in Germany" (since 1967).8. Rim text on labels of German LPs "Urheber- Und ..." was replaced by "Alle Urheber- Und ..." late 1976 / early 1977.