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Parlophone and Apple Label
#30. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Back In The U.S.S.R. (QMSP-16447)
(Update: 10th October 2026)
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Apple Original Sleeve
Note: Click on the cover or sleeve pictures to view larger images.

#30-1 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Back In The U.S.S.R. (1st Press "℗1968 on right side of A-side label / NO Distribuzione E.M.I." : QMSP-16447)
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#30-2 Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Back In The U.S.S.R. (2nd Press "℗1968 on left side of A-side label / NO Distribuzione E.M.I." : QMSP-16447)
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TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1
 OB-LA DI, OB-LA-DA (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2
 BACK IN THE U.S.S.R. (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1969? / Second Press (First Press: 18th December 1968)
FRONT -->Click! BACK -->Click! SIDE 1 -->Click! SIDE 2 -->Click! DISC -->Click!
please please_back label label label
FRONT COVER CLOSE UP BACK COVER CLOSE UP
please Apple logo and catalog No. "QMSP 16447" are printed on the lower right corner of the front cover. please Apple logo and catalog No. "QMSP 16447" are printed on the right side of the front cover.
BACK COVER CLOSE UP
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The word "A.G.C." and "Distribuzione Italiana S. p. A", and EMI logo are printed at the bottom of the back cover.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Apple label features an Italian copyright warning printed around the outer rim, prohibiting unauthorized duplication, public performance, and broadcasting of the record.
 label The words "FABBRICATO IN ITALIA" (Manufactured in Italy) were printed along the upper rim of both labels.
label label label The copy shown here is the second pressing, featuring the Apple label with the "℗ 1968" credit on the left side of the Side A label, but without the "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit.
The boxed BIEM logo and the catalog number "QMSP 16447" also appear on both sides.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The sliced apple on the B-side label was printed sideways, with the stem pointing to the right, a characteristic found on many Italian Apple singles from this period.
OTHER ITEM
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RECORD LABEL
 Apple
CATALOG NUMBER
 QMSP-16447
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 16447-A-T1-18-12-68
SIDE 2 16447-B-T1-18-12-68
MIX
 MONO
CREDIT
 Distribuzione E.M.I. Italiana S.p.A.
COMMENTS
 In 1968, the Beatles switched to the Apple label. The singles on Parlophone did not switch to Apple in Italy but remained on Parlophone. Also, in 1969 Italy became part of the European Economic Community and began using the EEC numbers in addition to their own. (from "Across the Univers")

The front cover features colorful illustrations of the four Beatles, with the song title "OB-LA-DI, OB-LA-DA" printed in green below the group name. The Apple logo and catalog number "QMSP 16447" were printed in the lower right corner.

The back cover features four individual photographs of the Beatles against a red background, with the title "BACK IN THE U.S.S.R." printed in red across the center. The printer's credit "A.G.C." appears at the lower left, while "Distribuzione EMI Italiana S.p.A." is printed along the bottom edge.

Three different Apple label variations are known for this Italian single, distinguished by the position of the ℗ 1968 credit and the presence or absence of the "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit.
  • 1st Press: The "℗ 1968" credit was printed on the right side of the Side A label. The "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit was not present.
  • 2nd Press: The "℗ 1968" credit was moved to the left side of the Side A label. The "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit was still absent.
  • 3rd Press: The "℗ 1968" credit remained on the left side of the Side A label, and the "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit was added.
The copy shown here is the second pressing, featuring the Apple label with the "℗ 1968" credit on the left side of the Side A label, but without the "Distribuzione E.M.I." credit.

On many Italian Apple singles issued between 1968 and 1970, the sliced apple on the B-side label was printed sideways, with the core on the left and the stem pointing to the right, unlike the usual upright design found on records from most other countries.

*A.G.C.: Arti Grafiche Colombo AGC or A.G.C. is an Italian printing company that started her activity in 1959. Was founded by Emidio and Angelo Colombo.


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