Record Labels - Columbia Records

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Columbia Records

Columbia Records, one of the oldest and most respected manufacturers of phonographs and records was founded in 1888, they began producing disc records in 1901. During the 1910s and 1920s, Columbia was one of the most prevalent record labels in the United States, along with Victor and Brunswick. In 1925, they introduced their marvelous "Viva-tonal" electrical recording process, producing some of the finest sounding records of the time, and recording some of the finest artists of the day. In 1926, Columbia acquired Okeh Records. Unfortunately, the company fell upon hard times in the 1930s. In 1932, Columbia introduced their "Royal Blue" records, pressed in blue shellac, which ran through 1935. In late 1934, the Columbia label was sold to the American Record Corporation, owners of Brunswick and many other popular labels.

By 1936, Columbia was essentially defunct, making very few releases. In 1938, however, Columbia, along with the ARC, was bought out by the Columbia Broadcasting System (which was ironically co-founded by Columbia Records), who breathed new life into the label, and Columbia once again grew to be a prominent label throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

One of Columbia's first major label styles (though several pre-date it), the 'Magic Notes' label, running from 1908 to 1917. This example dates to 1915.

A 'Symphony Series' label, which ran from 1906 until 1923, priced higher than regular Columbias and featuring classical music. This example is from 1919.

An early black example of the 'gold band' label featuring the tagline 'Note the Notes' where 'Grafonola' would be displayed on later issues. This example was recorded in 1912.

The 'gold band' style label, one of Columbia's more popular styles, from the height of their success, lasting from 1917 to 1923, a number of different colors were used throughout its run for ethnic and other releases. This example dates to 1920.

The 'Flags' style label, used from 1923 until 1925. This example dates to 1924.

An early electrical release lacking the 'Viva-tonal' branding as later issues would feature, this variation began in 1925 and lasted into 1926. This example dates to 1925.

The standard 1920s 'Viva-tonal' label, produced from 1926 until minor changes in the early 1930s. This example is from 1926.

A Columbia label from the early 1930s showing minor changes from the 1920s label, as well as a smaller format, the deep groove around the center hole is also removed. This example dates to 1932.

A later Columbia label from the mid 1930s, similar to the previous label, but blue, and with the words 'Viva-tonal Recording' removed. This style was used for Columbia's 'Royal Blue' series, featuring blue shellac. This style ran from 1932 until 1936. This example dates to 1934.

Around 1935, Columbia redesigned their label with all capital letters, and moved license notice below Magic Notes logo. This examlpe dates to 1935.

Columbia's final label style before the ARC's reorganization into CBS, used only in 1938.

This redesigned, CBS era style, featuring the mircophone logo, was used starting in 1939, until the end of the 78 era in the late 1950s, with only minor changes. This example is from 1946.

Picture/Artist Labels

One of Columbia's specialties in the 1920s and 1930s was issuing special label designs for some of their most popular artists.

One of Columbia's famed 'Potato Head' picture labels for Paul Whiteman's orchestra. This example dates to 1930.

A Ted Lewis picture label, issued in the late 1920s and early 1930s for Ted Lewis's records along with accompanying Ted Lewis picture sleeves. This example dates to 1927.

Columbia's short-lived 'Radio-Records' were issued a short time before they switched to Royal Blue. They featured performances that often included effects beyond the standard song-singing, such as announcements and soud-effects. Many carried on as Royal Blue, lacking the 'Radio-Record' branding. This example dates to 1932.

During the Royal Blue era, Columbia issued a different label for Ted Lewis, featuring his likeness in place of their Magic Notes. The same treatment was given to Rudy Vallee, Harry Richman, and Eddie Cantor. This example was issued around 1933.

Much like the preceding Ted Lewis label, Rudy Vallée was given similar treatment during his short time at Columbia in 1932 and 1933. This example dates to 1933.

A special Columbia label featuring earlier recordings to capitalize on the success of Benny Goodman's orchestra, produced in the later years of the pre-CBS Columbia. Circa 1937.

Special/Other Columbia Labels

A 'gold band' label record with the artists' names (Joe Weber and Lew Fields) signed on the dead wax. The signatures would have been carved into the original master, and then pressed into the shellac issues. This method was used as a mark of authenticity, to prove that the record was not a dub. This example was recorded in 1912.

An ethnic Serbian record featuring a green version of the 'gold band' label. This example dates to 1919.

An 'Exclusive Artist' Gold Band label usedn in the early 1920s for artists recording exclusively with Columbia at the time of pressing. This example dates to 1921.

A 12-inch special pressing from Columbia's 'Sound-On-Disc Division', pressed but not recorded by Columbia for the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. This dates to between 1925 and 1931, I would estimate circa 1929. Getting a clear scan was difficult on my scanner due to the record's size.

Columbia's 'Masterworks' label was used for classical, operatic, and so on. Essentially Columbia's take on Victor's Red Seal records. A blue label was also used. This example dates to 1941.

This is a disc jockey sample, produced with this label style in the late 1940s and early 1950s. This example dates to 1951.

A UK Columbia release of an American recording, the British Columbia label used the older design long after the demise of the original American label. This example dates to 1952.

One of many types of labels used by Columbia in Japan (Nippon Columbia). I am not sure about the date of this issue, but I believe it to be post-war.

Budget Labels

Columbia produced a number of budget labels, they were acoustically recorded using an improved process until early 1929, though some vocal records were electrically recorded for improved fidelity.

Clarion was produced after the discontinuatiuon of Diva. This example was issued in the early 1930s, but was recorded in 1928.

Diva records were produced by Columbia for W.T. Grant from 1925 until 1930. This example dates to 1930.

Harmony was one of Columbia's more popular budget labels, it ran from 1925 to 1932. This example dates to 1928.

The Harmony label was revived for a time in the late 1940s. This example dates to 1949.

Velvet Tone Records were produced by Columbia from 1925 until 1932. This example dates to 1928.

Other Labels Produced by Columbia

A very uncommon label produced for Paramount Pictures in the early days of talking pictures, the Publix label was produced by Columbia in batches of 75 to 100. They featured music from Paramount's moving pictures of the time. This example dates to 1929.

Epic was started by CBS in 1953 for the release of music that did not fit in to their standard Columbia line of records. This example dates to 1955.

Sleeves

A 'New Process' sleeve from the second half of the 1920s. This one also opens from the side.

A special sleeve produced by Columbia for their Ted Lewis picture labels in the late 1920s.

A 1930s sleeve for Columbia's Royal Blue Records.

A Harmony sleeve from the 1920s. Like Columbia's sleeves of the time, this sleeve opens from the side.

All images on this page created by R. Connor Montgomery, please do not reproduce without permission.