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Parlophone Original Released
08. I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (R 5200)
(Update: 10th. November 2023)

ifeel
Black Parlophone Label



Notice* Click the disk of each single, so you can see the large picture image.

#8-1 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (Factory Sample: R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
Factory Sample (First Press: 27th November. 1964)
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ifeel ifeel disk
COMPANY SLEEVE CLOSE UP
label EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front. "TRADE MARK OF THE PARLPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. label E.M.I. record tokens "6'- to 50'-" on back.
The words
Glued left and right.
COMPANY SLEEVE CLOSE UP
label Green company sleeve type-2A: Wavy cut at top.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
With a "FACTORY SAMPLE" sticker on the label of side-1.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Push-out center,
tax code is "K, T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
With the publisher's name "NORTHERN SONGS NCB" in roman type on both sides of the label.
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Song title and group's name were printed in sans-serif type, copmposer's name was printed in roman type,
The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N            MOTHER & STAMPER      3 / TG
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N            MOTHER & STAMPER      4 / MO
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2A :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 6 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
After the test pressings were approved, and copies were run with the promo labels on them, the printer then loaded the machines with the proper labels for the disk's standard release. Then samples were taken from possibly each press machine making the records, and affixed with a sticker (red ink on white) and checked for quality. Except for the sticker, the disk is exactly as it will be when it is released.

The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."

It has been said that EMI had to ask some other company (ex. Oriole and Decca) to press this single.



#8-2 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (1st. Press type-1 "NORTHERN SONGS NCB (3 lines) in Roman font": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
27th November. 1964/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ifeel ifeel disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.

label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)" statement.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. (Roman font)
label Catalog number "R 5200" was printed at the right side of the center hole.
label label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."

Push-out center,
tax code is "K, T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter. label label Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Roman font.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2A :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 6 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."

This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. (Roman font)

It has been said that EMI had to ask some other company (ex. Oriole and Decca) to press this single.



#8-3 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (1st. Press type-2 "NORTHERN SONGS NCB (3 lines) in Sans-serif font": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
27th November. 1964/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
ifeel ifeel ifeel ifeel disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "Recording first published 1964 (small letter)" statement
label label layout of the publisher's credit (3 lines in Sans-serif font) was different from the #8-2. label Catalog number "R 5200" was printed at the right side of the center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."

Push-out center,
tax code is "K, T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter. label label Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Sans-serif font.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Recording first published 1964 (small letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2A :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 6 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."

Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Sans-serif font.

It has been said that EMI had to ask some other company (ex. Oriole and Decca) to press this single.



#8-4 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (Decca Contract Press "Push-out Center": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
1964/Decca Contract Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ifeel ifeel disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.

label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)" statement.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label Decca contract pressing,
Sometimes EMI had problems to press enough records to keep up with the demand. To increase production they turned to other companies to press up some copies of a particular release, by Decca, Oriole, and CBS etc.
Decca contract pressing, these are its distinguishing characteristics.
1: No tax code is evident in the push-out center on either side of the disk.
2: The ridge is approximately 2.5mm in from the edge of the push-out center, or 10mm from the center hole.
3: There is a second lighter ridge that is approximately 0.5mm in from the edge of the push-out center.
4: The gap between the push-out center and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm wide.
(According to "TheBeatlesCollection")
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Roman font.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center: Decca Contract Pressing
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2A :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 6 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
Back in the 60's EMI had a limited record pressing power, and the Beatles were so popular that they simply could not cope with the demand that the fans were putting on them to get the copies out and into the shops. Purchases meant profit, and fans having to wait for EMI to catch up with demand meant a loss of earnings. Because of this, EMI decided to approach rival production companies with batch orders for them to press to help keep on top of things.

Decca were also the only company that also helped with the production of the Beatles' first two albums.



#8-5 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (Oriole Contract Press "Push-out Center": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
1964/Oriole Contract Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ifeel ifeel disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.

label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)" statement.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Oriole contract pressing.
Sometimes EMI had problems to press enough records to keep up with the demand. To increase production they turned to other companies to press up some copies of a particular release, by Decca, Oriole, and CBS etc.
Oriole contract pressing, these are its distinguishing characteristics.
1: No tax code is evident in the push-out center on either side of the disc.
2: The push-out center has a rough texture to it.
3: There is one small ridge that's approximately 0.5mm in from the edge of the push-out center.
4: The gap between the push-out center and the body of the disc is approximately 2.5mm wide.
5: The dinking around the edge of the label is twice the size of the EMI press at 2mm tall.
(According to "TheBeatlesCollection")
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Roman font.

OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center: Oriole Contract Pressing
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2A :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 6 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
Back in the 60's EMI had a limited record pressing power, and the Beatles were so popular that they simply could not cope with the demand that the fans were putting on them to get the copies out and into the shops. Purchases meant profit, and fans having to wait for EMI to catch up with demand meant a loss of earnings. Because of this, EMI decided to approach rival production companies with batch orders for them to press to help keep on top of things.

It has been said that EMI had to ask some other company (ex. Oriole and Decca) to press this single.



#8-6 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (Oriole Contract Press "Solid Center": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
1964? /Oriole Contract Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve
SLEEVE label label disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label .The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
label "SOLD IN U.K." statement was printed at the center of the label.
Oriole contract pressing with solid center (double lines).
label Catalog number "R 5200" was printed at the right side of the center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 & SIDE 2 Oriole Contract Pressing: (According to "select45rpm.com")
Thicker vinyl with a knife edge and often a rough textured label.
Oriole generally were all made with push out centres though a small minority with solid centres exist around 1962 for some reason.

cf. Pye "Solid Center" Contract Pressing: (According to "TheBeatlesCollection")
1: There is no tax code around the centre hole on either side of the disc.
2: The first, inner ridge is approximately 10mm out from the center hole.
3: The second, outer ridge is approximately 2.5mm out from the inner ridge and 12.5mm out from the center hole. It is 26mm in from the edge of the label.
4: A third smoother embankment-like ridge surrounds the outer ridge and is approximately 2mm out from the outerridge and 14.5mm out from the center hole. It is 24mm in from the edge of the label.
label
label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. (Roman font) label label
SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Composer's name "Lennon-McCartney" was printed in Roman font.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (Capital letter)
CENTER
Solid center:  Oriole Contract Pressing?
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-1A : Straight cut at top and "6'- to 50'-" on back.
Company name is "Electric & Musical Industries Ltd" on the back cover.
Inside glued.
COMMENTS

Back in the 60's EMI had a limited record pressing power, and the Beatles were so popular that they simply could not cope with the demand that the fans were putting on them to get the copies out and into the shops. Purchases meant profit, and fans having to wait for EMI to catch up with demand meant a loss of earnings. Because of this, EMI decided to approach rival production companies with batch orders for them to press to help keep on top of things.

Oriole Records was founded in 1925 by the London-based Levy Company. The original label was discontinued in 1935.  David Morris Levy and his brother Jacques revived the Oriole label in 1950. Until 1955 it was the exclusive UK licensee for the American Mercury Records label. Oriole had two record pressing plants, one in Aston Clinton and the other in Colnbrook. Even the "big boys", like Decca and EMI often used Oriolefs pressing facilities when their own had capacity problems. 
Oriole also produced Embassy Records for Woolworths Limited. Its repertoire consisted of cut-price cover versions of British pop hits. The Oriole Record Company lasted until September 21, 1964, when it was bought, lock, stock and plant, by CBS Inc., who were looking to set up their own manufacturing facility in the UK. 
The result was CBS Records, and with its coming the Oriole label disappeared forever.

* The Pye contract press is much more difficult to find than was once thought. in fact it appears that Pye only ever helped EMI out once and that was for the single Hey Jude. So, I don't know this single is really "Pye contract pressing".
The pye contract pressings were manufactured two ways: both with and without the push-out center.



#8-7 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (2nd. Press? "EMI Press / Solid Center": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
1966? / Second Press?
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ifeel ifeel disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
label label With the solid center with single line. EMI pressings.
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.
label Catalog number "R 5200" was printed at the right side of the center hole.

LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter.
SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "1N" on both side.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Song writing credit "Lennon-McCartney"  was Roman printing type.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 1N
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 1N
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
Solid center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT RECORDING FIRST PUBLISHED 1964 (capital letter)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Green sleeve type-2B : Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front.
The copies of "Read the RECORD MAIL" were 8 lines. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued bottom and right.
COMMENTS
Solid center type with "SOLD IN U.K. .." statement.
There are some solid center discs pressed by EMI.
EMI did not begin manufacturing singles with solid center  until 1966, these records are most likely 1966 or later pressings using leftover labels from 1963 or 1964.
* Supposedly, solid centers were adopted "officially" by EMI in November, 1966.



#8-8 I Feel Fine / She's A Woman (Special Order circa 1974 Press? / EMI RECORDS rim "1 EMI Logo / Push-out Center / Polo ring": R 5200)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
SIDE 1 I Feel Fine (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 She's A Woman (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
1974? / Special Order
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK --> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ticket ticket disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The Parlophone logo (small type) was printed at the top of the label.
label "EMI RECORDS LTD (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "Ⓟ 1964" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label Catalog number "R 5200" and the words "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" were printed at the right side of the label. label label Without "SOLD IN UK..." statement.

Solidcenter,
With a knife edge.
With Polo ring on side-2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Has the "NORTHERN SONGS LTD. (2 lines)" credits on the label.
label label
Matrix suffixed with:
Side1: -2 / Side2: -2
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label 1974 Press? with both one box EMI logo.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
R 5200
LABEL
Silver Parlophone (One EMI box logo)
MIX
Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18171 - 2
MOTHER & STAMPER
1 / G
SIDE 2 7XCE 18172 - 2
1 / G
VINYL COLOR
BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
EMI RECORDS LTD (capital letter)
CENTER
Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
NO
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ 1964
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
NORTHERN SONGS LTD.
SIDE 2
NORTHERN SONGS LTD.
PRODUCER
George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
Plain white sleeve
COMMENTS
Special Order, CIRCA 1974 (Knife Edge Pressing with Polo ring on side-2)

The Beatles records were never really deleted until the 1990s, they were not being continually pressed either.
It stands to reason that EMI were unlikely to press a handful of copies to order. More likely, they would have run-off several hundred copies or more and held them in storage. Thus, it's likely that back orders at the beginning of the Seventies would have been filled with old stock before new pressings were required.
Thus, polo rings cannot be found on every Beatles single from this time.
However, is a mixture of old and new labels (with and without sold in U.k. on some polo ring pressings.
Around this time there is a change in colour of the Parlophone labels from jet black to having a grey appearance.

EMI installed new presses in 1972, known as the 1400. These were custom made at Hayes, beginning in 1971. These presses left the tell-tale polo ring impression. We can assume that some old presses were still in use in the 1970s, explaining the absence of the polo rings on some discs.

In addition, we have seen those discs (predominantly) lacking polo rings along with knife edges circa 1974.
It is certainly possible that batches were pressed in 1975 to meet demand.  There was still considerable demand for their work.
The 1976 singles, the vast majority of them are push outs with polo rings.

"I Feel Fine" has been confirmed to exist from circa 1972-74 by a reputed dealer.
This is identical in appearance to the 1976 pressing on a push out centre, even down to the runoff markings.



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