Record Labels - Decca Records

Hover over each image for information about each individual label.

Decca Records

The American branch of Decca Records was founded in 1934 by Brunswick producer and executive Jack Kapp, who absconded with a portion of Brunswick's most popular talent, including Bing Crosby, the Boswell Sisters, and the Mills Brothers to record for the new label, he also introduced relatively unknown talent such as Jimmie Lunceford and Chick Webb, who helped develop a new style called swing.

The first style of label used by Decca, the art deco styled 'sunburst' label, used from 1934 up until 1937. This example dates to 1935.

The standard blue Decca label was used from the discontinuation of the 'sunburst' label until around 1944. This example dates to 1940.

A mid-1940s Decca label with script-style typeface, used from around 1944 until around 1946. This example dates to 1944.

The 'Personality Series' label was produced in this style beginning around 1946 and well into the 1950s. This example dates to 1946.

Special/Other Decca Labels

I'm not sure about the purpose of this label. The typography would indicate a late 1940s or 1950s release, but it seems to be imitating an early Decca. The recording dates to 1938.

The specialty series was evidently used to release music from films. This example was recorded in 1942, but I am unsure of the release date.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Decca began pressing records on a plastic material called Deccalite. This example dates to 1950.

A release by the British Decca. This example dates to about 1948.

Coral Records

In 1949, Decca began producing Coral Records, which recorded various genres of records throughout the 1950s.

A standard Coral label used throughout the label's run. This example dates to 1951.

A Coral sample copy pressed in lightweight 'unbreakable' plastic. This example dates to 1952.

Other Labels Produced By Decca

Champion records were originally produced by Gennett from 1925 to 1934. In 1935, Decca purchased the label and continued to release Champion records until about 1937. This example dates to 1936.

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