Not one, but two large Beatles box sets from the collection to feature in this post….
Why?
Well, both are Australian editions of “The Beatles Collection” – a box containing all twelve official Beatles studio album releases, plus one disc of “Rarities”. But the two examples of this box-set here differ in quite a few ways and are worth noting.
“The Beatles Collection” first came out in Australia back in 1978. At the time this was the catalogue-spanning Beatles box set to buy. For a very short time in 1978 it was released with all the Australian-pressed albums contained in the more familiar (and sturdier) British-made box with a flip-top lid. However, only 2000 of these sets were released here. The following year (1979) an Australian-made box was created to hold all the albums – but it was different to both the UK and the European box in that it had a detachable, lift-off lid. It was also a lot more flimsy in construction:
These original Australian blue boxes were textured on the outside and had the title “The Beatles Collection” in gold lettering and the signatures of each band member reproduced along the bottom, but the rear of the box was plain:
The LP’s inside, if they were originally released on the Parlophone label, were on the orange Parlophone label – which was a version unique to Australia:
And, if the LP was originally released in Australia on the Apple label it came out in the box-set also on the Apple label. For example “Yellow Submarine”:
The box also came with the two unique covers produced in Australia for “With the Beatles” and “The Beatles For Sale”:
“Sgt Pepper” came in a single sleeve:
“The Beatles” double LP (aka “The White Album”) came with all the inserts included (i.e. the poster with lyrics and the four individual photographs):
“Let It Be” had the red Apple logo on the rear:
And there was a unique 13th LP called “Rarities”, which gathered together for the first time on one record songs and versions of songs previously unavailable on any album:
This too came out on the orange Parlophone label:
The other box I have is different. In copies of “The Beatles Collection” released from the mid-1980’s there were quite a few changes. Firstly, the textured look to the box was replaced with a flat cardboard finish, and all the LP titles were listed on the back of the box:
Also, all the LPs inside have the black and silver Parlophone label, including those titles previously released on Apple:
“With the Beatles” came in the UK cover, which featured the famous black-and-white Robert Freeman portrait of the band – not its distinctive Australian cover:
But, a little surprisingly, “The Beatles For Sale” was still in its unique yellow Australian cover:
“Sgt Pepper” is in a single cardboard sleeve, “The White Album” came with all the inserts, “Let It Be” has the red Apple logo on the back cover, and you still get the “Rarities” LP, only this time it’s on the black and silver Parlophone label:
Also, in my copy at least, there’s a single sheet insert (printed on both sides) detailing all the Beatles records and cassettes currently available through EMI Australia at the time:
I’m not sure that this sheet was originally included in the mid 1980’s box set as it has the catalogue number PLAY 1005 on it and this was an insert usually included with Australian copies of “The Beatles Ballads” LP from 1981. Anyway, it’s nice to have.
So, two “Beatles Collection” box sets with quite a few interesting and collectable variations.
(Many thanks to Jaesen Jones and his invaluable book “An Overview of Australian Beatles Records” for the release date information contained in this post).
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wow koleksinya keren banget cool, hi i’m nugoho from indonesia…saya penggemar The Beatles spesial George Harrison. Senang bisa berbagi info tetang The Beatles
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Thanks Nugoho. Here’s the Google translation of your comment: “Wow! What a cool, awesome collection. Hi, I’m Nugoho from Indonesia … I am a fan of The Beatles – especially George Harrison. Glad to share info with others about The Beatles”. Thanks for your contribution and feel free to send us some images of your Indonesian collection!
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Hi there, we have just found a single sleeve, orange parlophone Sgt Pepper’s LP. Inside is a ‘poster’ with lyrics on on side, and a collage on the back. Just wondering if you think this could have come from one of these collection boxes?
Thanks,
Claire
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Hi Claire, just checked and both the boxes I have don’t have anything like this. Both are single sleeve Sgt Pepper releases, but don’t have posters with lyrics and a collage…..sounds interesting though. Could you send in a photo and maybe someone else will have the answer.
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I have the Blue Box Set with the poster as well. Very unique with collage of several unusual photos. I have never seen it before, and it clearly is not the same as the White album poster.
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Hi Claire. It sounds like the poster that was included with the “White Album”. it could have been placed inside the Pepper cover in error.
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Hi, finally I found more info about Australian BLUE COLLECTION BOX SET.
I noticed on eBay that people are selling this box but I noticed it was slightly different . I purchased my in Australia and it is the one with the LP titles listed on the back of the box (1980). BUT ? – LP FOR SALE is in different artwork : black and silver Parlophone label (EMI made in Australia) stereo PCSO.3062 gatefold.
So was there a third AUSTRALIAN version of this box set. ?? Does anybody know?
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@Tereskovova: Around mid/late 1982 EMI Australia introduced an Australian-made replica of the UK BFS sleeve (following on from PPM and WTB). Unfortunately though, it was quite flimsy and prone to damage (ring wear and feathering in particular). It wasn’t in production for long, disappearing by 1983. Perplexingly, while EMI Australia assembled their boxsets from standard production stock of the day, the only copies of BFS with the gatefold sleeve I’ve seen have been in copies of the boxset.
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Jaesen Jones thanx.
So if I understand correctly there is no way to recognize the box with UK sleeves. Contents of the same box could be different just because what LP was at that time available on EMI shelves?
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Correct. The UK replica sleeves were available thus: PPM (Dec 1980-1991), WTB (1981-1991), BFS (1982-~1983). The blue box with the album titles written on the base was introduced in mid-1980, thus, if the box has the album titles written on it, there is no way to tell which sleeves are included unless you can physically see them. Of course, the odds are the set will include at least a UK replica PPM, but no guarantees unless you can see them. In any event will very unlikely contain a UK replica BFS sleeve given the limited run.
As an aside, earlier boxes didn’t have the album titles written on the back, so if you see one of those, it’s safe to assume the sleeves within are all original Aussie.
You can buy a gold box, however, and be assured of the sleeves within because it was introduced in 1984. More expensive though.
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HUGE THANKS !!
On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 4:33 PM, Beatles Blog
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How much is the blue box worth?
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These seem to go for anywhere between Australian $150-$250 depending on the condition.
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Hi! I have a box set called ‘The Beatles Collection’, made by EMI. It’s the whole collection of cassette tapes and the box looks similar to the picture above except the box is gold with black writing. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Thanks 🙂
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Hi there!
Upon reading your above detailed description of your Blue Box Beatles Collection. I realised that my box is exactly the same and was wondering if you have much idea of the value of this item? It’s a fascinating thing to own and research, however there just seems like endless sites all claiming different things.
Thanks so much for your help ☺️
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Hi Deb. These seem to go for anywhere between Australian $150-$250 depending on the condition. If in absolute mint condition expect up to $300 or so. Hope this helps.
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Hi – picked up a copy of the Beatles Rarities pressed in Australia however it has the EMI Red & Tan label – it is issued as PSLP 261 same as the ones listed above. It has the same blue cover and comes with the “sampler album not for sale” as the usual edition.
Have seen overseas editions on the Red & Tan label such as Mexico and Israel but haven’t seen any versions of the Australian album.
Just wondering if this is a later reissue in an old cover or if it is some other edition – the matrix numbers are SPSLP 261A & B which appear to match the 1980 Second pressing of the album.
Any info greatly received.
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Hi – what you have there is not a later pressing, but one of the first pressings of this LP in Australia. The great and very useful book “An Overview of Australian Beatles Records” by Jaesen Jones lists this EMI label version as only being produced from November 1978 to May 1979. The “rarity guide” included with the book lists it as being a 6 out of 10 (while pressings on either the later orange or black and silver labels are only rated 3 or 4 out of 10). It’s also worth having a look at the Australian Beatles records site I Am the Platypus: http://www.beatlesaustralia.com/25_RARITIES_UK_index.html
It has more info and images. Hope this helps!
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Dear BB – thanks for the prompt and extremely helpful replyand for the introduction to another stunning Beatles resource.
Its just a shame that this album has been split from its original box set – it was with a group of 9 orange label stero reissues that probably came from the same box – i couldnt help but snap them up as well as they were only $10 each.
These are now all safely homed with the rest of my fledgling Beatles collection.
Must say that this blog in particular has been a fantastic resource and i love reading about things that i have unearthed – not a re-seller just a simple music hoarder 🙂
Cheers
Mike
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Hi, in 1980 I bought The Beatles EP collection in the flip top blue box . Mono EAS-30013 -26 with the added stereo EP BRP=4007, It was made in Japan on the Odeon Label and are all on red vinyl with black labels and a silver square at the top with EMI Odeon I’ve only ever played them once and then put them away, the blue dye has worn away on some corners and on 2 record covers there are some small light brown stains, I’ve been told it’s rust stains, can they be removed at all without causing any damage. I paid $20, have never seen them on Ebay and just wondering what their worth, I also have the LP blue box, blank back cover, orange labels and the apple label on the last few LPs and the rarities with the EMI label PSLP261. The Sgt Pepper’s had nothing in it, so I put in the cut-out insert from a reissue I had. The second hand shops sell the records and the box separately so they can make more money. All the best Brian
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Hi, in 1980 I bought The Beatles EP collection in the flip top blue box . Mono EAS-30013 -26 with the added stereo EP BRP=4007, It was made in Japan on the Odeon Label and are all on red vinyl with black labels and a silver square at the top with EMI Odeon I’ve only ever played them once and then put them away, the blue dye has worn away on some corners and on 2 record covers there are some small light brown stains, I’ve been told it’s rust stains, can they be removed at all without causing any damage. I paid $20, have never seen them on Ebay and just wondering what their worth, I also have the LP blue box, blank back cover, orange labels and the apple label on the last few LPs and the rarities with the EMI label PSLP261. The Sgt Pepper’s had nothing in it, so I put in the cut-out insert from a reissue I had. The second hand shops sell the records and the box separately so they can make more money. All the best Brian
WordPress.com / Gravatar.com credentials can be used.
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Hi Brian, we’re guessing that you mean this Japan EP box set: https://beatlesblogger.com/2010/05/10/japanese-beatles-ep-box-set/
We posted on it back in 2010 when our photography skills were not that impressive. If you click on individual images you can see a slightly larger version. These box sets where very nicely done. The fact that you picked one up for $20 is a real bargain. It would be worth a lot more than that now. I’d estimate that box would go on Ebay for around $150-$200. Even with a couple of rust stains! Not sure there’s a solution for getting those stains out. I think they’re there to stay sadly. Nice that you have the Australian LP blue box as well. The “Rarities” LP on the EMI label means it is an early pressing and therefore more rare. These were only produced in limited numbers before going onto the more common Parlophone label.
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Hi,
An elderly friend has given me Blue Boxed Set to investigate and possibly sell.
I have read the descriptions above – very thorough thankyou but am a bit confused.
The set I have seems to be the second edition because it is in a cardboard box and has names on the bottom of the box. But I have four albums with Apple label and the rest with the orange Parlaphone. I also have the two unique Australian covers – With the Beatles and Beatles for sale.
The rest of the covers seem to be the original UK ones. I am trying to date the set as the friend can’t remember when he bought it. The box has some damage mainly scuffing from being in a cupboard but the albums have never been out of the covers so are in pristine condition. I want to give good advice re selling so would appreciate any information you might be able to share with me
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Hi Lynne, the Blue Box for all Australian editions has the four Beatle signatures at the bottom of the front of the box lid. The differences between the two versions mentioned in our post was that the titles of each album were on the rear of the box for the second, later edition. However, as these boxes where made up of LPs with label and album cover styles that EMI had in stock there could well have been some overlap in filling the boxes – in other words some of Orange Parlophone/Apple labels may have made it into the second-run of boxes which had the names of the all the albums printed on the back of the box. I’d say you have one of these editions because you have all Orange Parlophone labels for all but four of the titles. Those four should be on the Apple label (they will be “The Beatles” White Album, “Yellow Submarine”, “Abbey Road”, and “Let It Be”). There should also be the unique Australian covers for “With the Beatles” and “Beatles For Sale”. So, sounds like you have a cross between the first and second editions (that is the earlier albums in the later style box). Hope this helps/makes sense. If it is a good set in good condition you should get around $200-$250.
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Sounds about late 1980, early 1981, ie after the introduction of the new box but before the early 1981 introduction of the UK-replica WTB sleeve. The PPM sleeve will seal it though – if the front cover has the title written in BLUE along the top, then it’s earlier (sometime during 1980). If it’s BLACK, then the box is from 1981.
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Thankyou
The writing is Dark Blue across the top so I presume 1980.
Is Ebay the best place to sell or is there a dedicated vinyl site for collectors??
This is a great site thanks.
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Jaesen may have a view, but Ebay is probably best. Make sure you have good photos of the item 🙂
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Yeah, try ebay. As beatlesblogger says, you should get somewhere between $200-$250, assuming a good description and photos (I think you can have up to 12 photos for free – I’d use them to show any flaws, or if no flaws, to highlight the quality).
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Thankyou. The ebay post is on the way.
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I purchased the beatles blue box set in mid 1983. My set sounds similar to your other box except (with the beatles) is the australian release cover as with (beatles for sale). All the albums came with the black parlophone label except (please please me and beatles for sale) which came with the australian release orange label. Any idea where I can get a blue box from, someone stole it (only the box) many many years ago.
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I purchased the beatles blue box set in mid 1983. My set sounds similar to your other box except (with the beatles) is the australian release cover as with (beatles for sale). All the albums came with the black parlophone label except (please please me and beatles for sale) which came with the australian release orange label. Any idea where I can get a blue box from, someone stole it (only the box) many many years ago. The box also had the albums listed on the back
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Hi, I’d look in eBay. Type in your search “Beatles blue box only”. It often comes up with people who have a box and no records for sale. It might take a while but if you are persistent you will find a box to house your records.
Good luck! (I’m currently looking for a box to hold the British singles!)
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Hi,
Thanks for the great site. I enjoyed the piece on the blue box set of LP’s. My Mum won a set in the late 70’s. I played it constantly then and as a teenager this set me up as a Beatles fan for life. Mum has now passed the box set to me. However it appears that the White album is missing. To replace it I’d like to find a copy from around that time so I can keep the set somewhat original. I remember the copy having a green serial number and the poster and four head shot photos. They were Apple records. Were they particularly special if they were in the blue box? Or were they just regular Australian pressings you could buy in a store rack?
Thanks
Michael
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Hi Michael, dragged out both the Australian Blue box sets we have and had a look at the White Albums in both. They are regular Australian pressings from the day. One on the Apple label, one on the black and silver Parlophone label. There is no green serial number on either. Just the plain white sleeve. Each has the four individual photos and the poster. You should be able to pick up a copy of an Australian vinyl release like these to complete your set.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for your reply!
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Hi again,
Thanks for the previous help with the White album and the LP box set. I did eventually get one from eBay. I’ve continued my boxed set quest and this time scored an empty roll top box from 1995. It seems empty ones could be bought new. Gathering the CD’s is something I’m looking forward to. Shouldn’t be too hard to do that although I am keen to get CD’s from that period. However the 64 page booklet might be a challenge. I imagine it was never available on its own but maybe there’s an orphan one out there somewhere?
Thanks
Michael
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Turns out that’s exactly what I did too. My brother at one time owned a CD store and somehow ended up with an empty roll top box which he gave to me. Initially I had an example of each CD in there, but they were from all over the place (Australia, USA, UK, etc.). About two years ago I determined to make it an entirely Australian set and slowly but surely picked these up, usually at reasonable prices. It is now complete and quite nice to have. Good luck with your search! Keep an eye out for the booklet. You may find one. If I see one I’ll let you know!
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Hi! Thanks for keeping an eye out for the booklet. I’ll give you my email address offline. I have to say I’m looking forward to gathering up the CD set individually. So they were Australian made CD’s in the imported roll top box? They weren’t imported already filled? You know I was working for a CD manufacturer in 1988. I may even have helped make the CD master.
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Hi, I think they were filled with CDs of the country they were released in. Living in Australia, I wanted to get all Australian CDs for my set as this was the way they were sold by EMI back then. Cheers.
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Hi, looking for help,
An Aunt of mine has the Gold box vinyl album set im mint condition, still in the celophane packaging, signatures on the bottom face of the box with the set serial number as purchased, she is looking at selling the set, just trying to get an idea of its value for her.
Any ideas or suggestion would be helpfull.
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Hi, the gold box sets are difficult to find in good condition because the gold paper EMI Australia used damages easily. There is one box set on EBay at the moment with a starting price of $500.
This is probably a good indicator of its worth. Hope this helps.
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Thanks,
Hers is in mint condition, I’ll let her know.
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Hi, I just picked up a box set today. Been trying to get my hands on one for ages! Mint condition and most of the records have never been played.
It looks like I have the second one but mine has all the record labels matching up with the first box. Abby Road, White album, let it be and yellow submarine on Apple labels.
Also revolver is the black and silver label but it’s a New Zealand copy (says nothng about Australia) but the sleeve says printed in Australia. Just wondering if that was normal at all?
Thanks
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Hi, I have owned a BLUE boxed set since ?1980.
On the front is large Gold letters The Beatles collection, a gold bar top and bottom and 4 signatures at the bottom of the box.
The back of the box is blank. On the right hand side edge of the box is The Beatles collection, then lower down is EMI.
The set is still in shrink plastic, so never been opened nor played and has been stored flat with my other records. Does anyone know what the set is worth and where i might list, as i am wanting to sell. Thanks Rose
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Hi Rose, It depends where you purchased the box set. Was it in Australia, or the UK, or somewhere else? This will help in giving you an estimate. If as you say the box is still sealed then that’s a good thing as it means the box and the all the records inside have been protected. Let me know the likely country of origin and I will get back to you. Cheers, Tony (from beatlesblogger.com)
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Hi Tony, purchased in Australia 1980 or 1981. Have attached a photo. I look forward to your reply. Kindest Rose
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Hello again Rose. We’ve been on leave for the Christmas/New Year period so apologies for the delay in responding. Your photo does not seem to have come through as an attachment. Could you send it to our email address which is beatlesblogger@gmail.com Thanks!
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In australia
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Hi, i have the ” beatles scottish tour souvenirs 1963″ thst belonged to my mother as a teenager. Do you know what the value may be?
Regards yvonne
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Hi Yvonne, I’m not really up on prices for memorabilia such as this – but if it’s in good condition I notice that a souvenir program like the one you have sold in November last year for US$318 through Heritage Auctions – which is a very well respected auction house. Hope this helps! Cheers.
https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/the-beatles-1963-tour-of-scotland-souvenir-program/a/7203-89150.s
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I purchased a BC 13 Blue Box back in 1978. It is a UK version. Mine has the words “Made In England” below the BC 13 label on the side panel. I’ve looked at numerous Blue Box sets for sale and so far I’ve only seen one other with the same label. Is this unique to Blue Box sets released during a certain time?
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Hi Emil, I’ve done a bit of research on this and can’t find any copies with the words “Made in England” on them on the spine – so what you have may well be a rarity. This title was re-printed a couple of times and so maybe it is one of the later ones?
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Thank you for your immediate response.
The only other set marked with the “Made In England” is still for sale on ebay for $390 by seller ro_welk. Look it up. I’ve asked the other seller and no one else has that marking!
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I have a blue Beatles set for sale 13 albums with the albums listed on the back of box. I wish to sell it. Anyone interested? I probably bought it in 70’s / 80’s never even played some of them. Still in all original condition except box lid split on corners.
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Hi Noeline,
Let’s see if anyone is looking to buy this box set. A few other details would be helpful:
Did you buy this new in Australia?
Could you let us know what labels the records have? (Parlophone, Apple, or a mix of both? And what colour are the Parlophone labels?)
Thanks!
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I had a Blue Box Beatles Collection and it was Stolen . The insurance co replaced it with a new Beatle Collection that came in a Black Wooden Box with a shutter door. Like a garage door. This was around 1989 . Has any body seen one like this?
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Hi Tim,
Yes, these wooden boxes containing all the LP’s were on sale at about the same time that the equivalent black wooden “bread box” with a similar roll top containing all the CD’s was on sale. This was in 1988. You can see an example here https://www.discogs.com/The-Beatles-The-Beatles-Box-Set/master/576374 This set was released in different countries around the world.
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I have an ‘Australian’ BC13 box that I bought used. It has signatures on the front, album titles on the back, the UK “With The Beatles” cover, the alternate yellow “Beatles For Sale” cover, all labels are Parlophone black and silver except “Revolver” which is orange! The artwork is fairly ‘washed out’ though, do I maybe have some kind of hybrid? Opinions welcome, thanks.
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I have an ‘Australian’ BC13 box that I bought used. It has signatures on the front, album titles on the back, the UK “With The Beatles” cover, the alternate yellow “Beatles For Sale” cover, all labels are Parlophone black and silver except “Revolver” which is orange! The artwork is fairly ‘washed out’ though, do I maybe have some kind of hybrid? Thanks.
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Hi, sounds like it could be a box set that has had Revolver (on the orange Parlo label) added as replacement copy at a later stage. Apart from that it seems to have the exact same contents as those in the second blue box detailed on this page: https://beatlesblogger.com/2012/01/03/the-beatles-collection-australian-blue-box/
Still, nice to have and enjoy!
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Great info on the Aussie Blue Box LP’s. I recently purchased a box set from my Aussie cus’.He reckons he bought it in Brisbane in 1980 ish. The box is the later flimsy lift off type and has all the titles on the rear in gold print. Inside Please Please Me to Help! Are all orange Aus labels. With The Beatles and Beatles For Sale are in the unique Aus covers. Revolver and Rarities are also orange Aus discs. Rubber Soul and Sgt Pepper are black and silver Aus EMI discs. The Beatles, Yellow Sub, Abbey Road and Let It Be are all Aus Apple discs. Let It Be cover has the red Apple. All discs mint, most never played, foxing on the white album while the box has had a somewhat harder life, although very intact. Mine since 2017!
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Hi, great source of information, the million dollar question now, which pressing sounds best to you?? Are they equal??
Thank you!!
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Value?
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Hi Tom, back when I first published this article (2012) these Aussie blue box sets were going for anywhere between Australian $150-$250 depending on the condition. Just did a very quick search on eBay. They now start at $500 and go up from there!
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Appreciate your feed back. Most helpful.
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I have a set which appears to be a hybrid of the two discussed here. The albums carry the earlier labels but the box has the album titles listed on the back. Have you come across one of these? Would be interested to know what year it was produced.
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Hi Tim,
Thanks for writing in about your Australian “The Beatles Collection” blue box set.
As this set was on sale through EMI here from 1978 through to 1988 there were numerous slight variations to it across that time. They changed the boxes slightly, and also filled them with stock LPs that they had on hand at any given time.
The best reference guide I have found for them is Jaesen Jones’s great website on all Aussie releases called I Am The Platypus:
https://www.beatlesaustralia.com/39_COLLECTION_index.html
Hope this helps!
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Hi
I’m from Australia and my Grandmother gave me the Gold LP box set for my 18th birthday.
This collection means a lot to me, and the Albums have never been played. In fact the box still has the original plastic cover over the box.
Interested to hear if there are any other gold box LP collections out there that have also never been opened and played.
Would love the feedback.
Michael
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Hi Michael, yes it’d be interesting to hear from others who have sealed and unplayed box sets.
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