Chess : Dark Blue Label

[45cellar]

I have a few CHESS records in my collection,

I found it unusual to see a Dark Blue CHESS Label so far into the Label Numbering system - CHESS 1966.

What period of time was this Variation used.

There's also a Dark Blue CHESS Label for this one Maurice & The Radiants - CHESS 1954.

Is it possible that all releases may have a Dark Blue CHESS Label out there somewhere

say up to CHESS 1966 for instance. or is it just certain issue numbers.

[Robbk]

I've seen millions of 45 records in the '60s and '70s. I did NOT see ALL the Chess numbers from, say, 1900-1966 on the dark blue. It seems to me that the dark Blue design ended LONG before 1966. It seems to me that 1966 was released first when the Black design was ending, and the yellow/orange design was coming in. There was a VERY long overlap. The yellow//orange design didn't last all that long before the light blue design started.

I don't have ANY Dark Blue labels after 1900 But, I DO remember a few selected ones. Maybe they represent one pressing plant's run of a few re-issues as a special order, when they didn't have any of the newer designs handy? And, likely, they hadn't been used by Chess in a couple of years.

[45cellar]

Many Thanks for Information.

Could it be a regional thing similar to the West Coast Motown Labels at Monarch.

The Soul Label for Instance using the Older Lilac & White design for a longer period.

[abbeyrnb]

here is the dark Blue Chess label of Maurice & Radiants .

[45cellar]

Nice One, Many Thanks.

Got to be it's Rarest Format.

I wonder how many other releases we can Identify on the Dark Blue Label

amongst these Later 1900 numbers.

[Mick Holdsworth]

I've been meaning to post this - may as well do it here.

Cheers

Mick

[Kris Holmes]

that's a weird one, never seen that variant, wonder if it's legit or some sort of local distributor pressed cash-in?

[Robbk]

here is the dark Blue Chess label of Maurice & Radiants .

That purple plastic Maurice & Radiants has to be some kind of special reissue. I'd be willing to bet the farm that that didn't exist when the record was first released.

[Robbk]

I've been meaning to post this - may as well do it here.

Cheers

Mick

I've seen that one before, and other issues in that format as well. One of the pressing plants pressed up some Cadet records using that style label. I'd like to know the story behind it.

[Kris Holmes]

That purple plastic Maurice & Radiants has to be some kind of special reissue. I'd be willing to bet the farm that that didn't exist when the record was first released.

I think it's just the scan making it look purple no??

[45cellar]

I think it's just the scan making it look purple no??

Yes, I think so too.

I have a Blue Label Maurice & The Radiants on its way so when it arrives will Post it up.

Also able to check Deadwax at that point.

[45cellar]

Here's an Unusual CHECKER Variation, More used to seeing it in Light Blue.

I know that Rescue Me has many many Variations of the Red Label or Maroon in some cases.

Heres a Maroon Checker Board Variation.

More used to seeing it in Blue

Incidently, every U.S. DEMO for Rescue Me that I have ever seen is on the Checker Board Variation.

[45cellar]

I am assuming that before the days of email of course, once the Basic Logo had been sent for each Design in Turn, the Pressing Plant & Printer were left to it.

All done on a phone call once the Plates were in place.

Possible using up material from earlier designs as already suggested.

[Headsy]

Yes, I think so too.

I have a Blue Label Maurice & The Radiants on its way so when it arrives will Post it up.

Also able to check Deadwax at that point.

[Headsy]

Mine is blue silver like Steve's

It is a proper one

The black are second issues are they not ?

Even the White demo must be after the blue ???

[abbeyrnb]

Hi it is my scanner that is making the thing look purple ( cant get the bloody setting right !! ) it is defo Black Lol

I think it's just the scan making it look purple no??

[abbeyrnb]

Hi it is my scanner that is making the thing look purple ( cant get the bloody setting right !! ) it is defo Black Lol

In the dead wax is etched JM 1954 ( then a small squiggle in a circle ) and a gap then 14438 . Thats all I can see on there

Yes, I think so too.

I have a Blue Label Maurice & The Radiants on its way so when it arrives will Post it up.

Also able to check Deadwax at that point.

I think it's just the scan making it look purple no??

[45cellar]

Mine is blue silver like Steve's

It is a proper one

The black are second issues are they not ?

Even the White demo must be after the blue ???

The Label suggests that the Blue was first issue, possibly a limited first press.

Unless it's a regional thing, where one pressing plant chose the different Logo at time of release.

I've wondered if there's a DEMO out there for the Blue Variation.

If there isn't, I'm guessing that it was a single pressing plant out of sync with the others.

The Dark Blue must be the rarest format.

However;

If there is a DEMO for the Dark Blue - WOW! Incredibly rare.

[Robbk]

I'd guess it was just one plant using the old label, probably at the same time as several other plants were using the new, black label.

[Kris Holmes]

.

.

.

I don't recall ever seeing these variants in the real world, strange.

[Robbk]

I don't recall ever seeing these variants in the real world, strange.

I've seen ALL those variants (several times) in my USA 45 canvassing days (1953-1972). They are ALL from the 1960s, but not sure if some weren't pressings for later issues. However, it seems really odd that one pressing plant would be using the dark blue Chess design 3-4 years late, just because they (Chess) didn't want to pay (again) for new label printing.

[45cellar]

.

Here's a comparable Light Blue Variation that matches the Maroon above.

It has the same style of text & same Layout.

I don't own this Light Blue Variation but it looks like it was from the same Printer / Pressing Plant..

I would expect the Text to be similar to my DEMO below.

.

[45cellar]

I've seen ALL those variants (several times) in my USA 45 canvassing days (1953-1972). They are ALL from the 1960s, but not sure if some weren't pressings for later issues. However, it seems really odd that one pressing plant would be using the dark blue Chess design 3-4 years late, just because they (Chess) didn't want to pay (again) for new label printing.

Many Thanks once again for your Input and thoughts on this. It is Invaluable to have this type of hands on Information.

[abbeyrnb]

I am sure you and other posters are right that Blue is the rarer format . I didnt know of it till last year when I picked my copy up . I am sure there will be somewhere a demo of it somewhere !!

I do have this on white ( used to have a blue label copy till I found this one and let blue one go ) so they defo did them the hunt is on eh .

The Label suggests that the Blue was first issue, possibly a limited first press.

Unless it's a regional thing, where one pressing plant chose the different Logo at time of release.

I've wondered if there's a DEMO out there for the Blue Variation.

If there isn't, I'm guessing that it was a single pressing plant out of sync with the others.

The Dark Blue must be the rarest format.

However;

If there is a DEMO for the Dark Blue - WOW! Incredibly rare.

[abbeyrnb]

Thanks for putting these scans up by the way I aint seen them before they look great

Here's an Unusual CHECKER Variation, More used to seeing it in Light Blue.

I know that Rescue Me has many many Variations of the Red Label or Maroon in some cases.

Heres a Maroon Checker Board Variation.

More used to seeing it in Blue

Incidently, every U.S. DEMO for Rescue Me that I have ever seen is on the Checker Board Variation.

[Kris Holmes]

But that Billy Emerson is a earlier number though right? I would have thought that would be more expected on that label design?

[Robbk]

Chess 1740 is from early 1959. I doubt that the poster was trying to use that as an example of a "late" printing of that design. Rather, he was only using that to show how a white DJ copy on that particular design, looks.

[Kris Holmes]

I think they missed the point that we were wondering if there were white labels of the later issues (1900 series) on that design. As we all know there were absolutely white labels of that design from the earlier releases on that label.

I would guess that the "one pressing plant out of sync" theory is pretty sound. This would make it possible that white labels do not exist as the plant may well have just been pressing stock copies for that area. Also agree that if a white label 1900 series 45 on the "old" design turns up it would be a very rare variant & an interesting deveopment,......for those of us who find this sort of thing interesting

[Headsy]

Why would a plant that pressed issues not press demos ?

Just a thought

[Robbk]

Why would a plant that pressed issues not press demos ?

Just a thought

If it is a 3rd or 4th press run they wouldn't need any new demos, just additional store stock to fill the vacant store shelves because of increasing demand for a record that's being heard a lot on the radio.

[Headsy]

Sorry should have made It clearer, why can the Plant that pressed the blue issues not have previously/ originally pressed a White demo or am I misreading previous posts

[45cellar]

If it is a 3rd or 4th press run they wouldn't need any new demos, just additional store stock to fill the vacant store shelves because of increasing demand for a record that's being heard a lot on the radio.

Possibly the reason why DEMOs do not appear to be there for every variation of "RESCUE ME".

[45cellar]

The Dark Blue copy arrived through my door about 15 Minutes ago.

Noticed the extra credit "Under Supervision of: Billy Davis" on the Blue.

[Headsy]

So it's a "supervision" copy then

Lol

[45cellar]

I just find it strange that there should be extra information coming from one pressing plant / printer, compared to the others.

[45cellar]

Regarding "RESCUE ME" I've always thought it a puzzle that the DEMO is so hard to find, so far for me ONLY on one Variation.

When I believe it was made by CHESS to compete with "The Motown Sound".

Would have thought it would have experienced enhanced promotion rather than less.

[abbeyrnb]

Hi Kris sorry I know it is an earlier release was as Rob said just trying to demonstrate that demo's where produced on that label design .

But that Billy Emerson is a earlier number though right? I would have thought that would be more expected on that label design?

[abbeyrnb]

Hi Kris sorry I know it is an earlier release was as Rob said just trying to demonstrate that demo's where produced on that label design .

I think they missed the point that we were wondering if there were white labels of the later issues (1900 series) on that design. As we all know there were absolutely white labels of that design from the earlier releases on that label.

I would guess that the "one pressing plant out of sync" theory is pretty sound. This would make it possible that white labels do not exist as the plant may well have just been pressing stock copies for that area. Also agree that if a white label 1900 series 45 on the "old" design turns up it would be a very rare variant & an interesting deveopment,......for those of us who find this sort of thing interesting

Is it the suggestion that no white demo's have surfaced in that Chess design on releases in 1900 series ?

But that Billy Emerson is a earlier number though right? I would have thought that would be more expected on that label design?

[Kris Holmes]

Is it the suggestion that no white demo's have surfaced in that Chess design on releases in 1900 series ?

i think that is indeed the suggestion.

[abbeyrnb]

So is this some sort of boot or a right one ?

ebay ref number 310342204935

i think that is indeed the suggestion.

[Kris Holmes]

So is this some sort of boot or a right one ?

ebay ref number 310342204935

wow, that's definitely one, well i'll be, white label promos do exist! (for some titles at least) Good detective work!

Someone with more time than I have should start plugging titles from the 1900 series into ebay & see what they come up with.

Edited August 31, 2011 by Kris Holmes

[45cellar]

Nice One, CHESS1908 White DEMO.

I will keep a look out for others.

[Tony A]

Regarding "RESCUE ME" I've always thought it a puzzle that the DEMO is so hard to find, so far for me ONLY on one Variation.

When I believe it was made by CHESS to compete with "The Motown Sound".

Would have thought it would have experienced enhanced promotion rather than less.

Released on both labels.