Decca ; SXL catalog & record jackets (Introduction)

* Decca(UK) SXL serial 2*** LPs; Introduction
Gallery of first released LPs and recording datas

Mr. KITAGAWA Himahito's Decca LXT series catalogue is the starting point of my work. This marvelous site includes almost all of the golden age of Decca label, both monaural and stereo issues. I mailed him but unfortunately to no avail.
I did NOT add the numbers after SXL 6000 because the most jackets of the issued numbers can be seen in sxl-lp.com site and here.
Special thanks to ; Mr. KITAGAWA Himahito, and of course to the owner of mikrokosmos.com who offered me the hosting space.
Any suggestion and contribution of better images and recording data will be welcomed and mentioned in this page.

Index of numbers & jackets

2000s

0. Why I made a page about British Decca label

Decca LP is famous as audiophile, to which I agree as the early SXL serials recordings showed very good sounds even by CDs. Its recordings in 1950~60 years are worth while to being exemplary case that shows Decca's multi-microphone recording technique was very sophisticated even from the present view.
This is a small tribute to Decca, a representative recording company and recording itself. One more, I should appreciate Mr. Arato Takahashi, who gave admission to me that can use his LP gallery images kindly.

1. Stereo marks

The first stereo emblem is triangle. 'DECCA STEREOPHONIC SOUND' and FFSS(full frequency stereophonic sound).

5 The first style in stereo era

The next logo is the triangle logo in black rectangle. The first one is SXL 2024, and became regular from SXL 2050.

5 The second style in stereo era

At the next era, thd Decca emblem became only DECCA in black rectangle without the record number. This style appeared at SXL 2141, and became regular after SXL 2228.

5 The third style in stereo era

Several titles have both emblems.

2. Jacket style

The first style has only the first triangle emblem normally at the right upside.


5 SXL 2003	5 SXL 2005

The second style has only the triangle in the rectangle emblem normally at the right upside.


5 SXL 2047	5 SXL 2078~80

Some cases shows both the emblems, later only rectangle emblem both upside. And the top band of the jacket includes 'STEREO; ffss, SXL 2***; composer, work, the performers.


5 SXL 2196	5 SXL 2236

At the next style, rectangle is only right upside.


5 SXL 2260	5 SXL 2298

At the next design, 'ffss' at the right of 'STEREO' disappeared.


5 SXL 2307	5 SXL 2313

At the last design, the top white band width decreased. This style was used in SXL 6*** serials.


5 SXL 2305	5 SXL 2316

SXL 2316 is the last SXL 2*** issue. After this, SXL 6*** series began and LXT 6*** corresponds to the same number of SXL 6***. If you want to see the cross-reference list between SXL and London CS serials, go to this site.

3. Label

The label style can be observed at the recent 'Classic Recitals' series CD.

	3 The first label of the LP era has golden lettering with orange background(image; from here). In general, this is called 'first orange gold', or simply 'EY1(English yellow 1st)'. All of the first issues of the LXT 2501~ number have this label.
	3 The second label of the monaural era has silver lettering with black background(image; from this link). See the '(2 sides) No.1' at the left of the center hole. In general, this is called 'second orange gold', or simply 'EY2(English yellow 2nd)'. The highest number of this label is LXT 5121.
	3 The third label at the monaural era has silver lettering with orange background. In general, this is called 'orange-silver', or simply 'EY3(English yellow 3rd)'. All of the first issues of the LXT 5122~ number have this label. I guess this label was introduced almost the time of the early stage of the stereo recordings.
	3 The fourth label at the monaural era has silver lettering with orange background(image; from this link). See the musical note logo 'D, E, C, C, A' at the left of the center hole, same to that in ED1(stereo) pressing. In general, this is called 'orange-silver', or simply 'EY4(English yellow 3rd)'. The first and last issue of this label is not clear. And the end of LXT serial which was released with its SXL correspondent is perhaps 6376.
	3 The first label at the stereo era has silver lettering with black background, and has wide silver band(1.2cm width) above the center hole. In general, this is called 'first wide band(WB)', or simply 'ED1(English Dark 1st)'. Note the 'Original Recording by~ ' in the 10 o'clock direction, 'Made in England' in the 6th o'clock direction, and groove on the label. All of the first issues of the SXL 2*** number have this label.
	3 The second label has very silimar to the first one. In general, this is called 'second WB', or simply 'ED2(English Dark 2nd)'. The highest number is SXL 6368. Note the 'Made in England~ ' in the 10 o'clock direction and groove on the label.
	3 The third label is called 'third WB', or simply 'ED3(English Dark 3rd)'. Note the 'Made in England~ ' in the 10 o'clock direction and no groove on the label. The first issue of SXL 6369~6448(except SXL 6355 and 6447) has this label.
	3 The first label of so-called 'Narrow Band(NB)', or simply 'ED4(English Dark 4th)'. The 'band' width decreased and 'DECCA' letter is in rectangle box. See the musical note logo 'D, E, C, C, A' at the left of the center hole.
	3 The second Narrow Band(NB), or simply 'ED5(English Dark 5th)'. See the musical note logo at the left of the center hole disappear.
	3 The third Narrow Band(NB), or simply 'HD1(Holland Dark 1st)'. British factory was closed and Decca LP was pressed in Holland. The first number is SXL 6922. See the musical note logo at the left of the center hole.
	3 The fourth Narrow Band(NB), or simply 'HD2(Holland Dark 2nd)'. See the musical note logo at the left of the center hole disappear.