The Beatles U.S. Singles/Vee-Jay

Non-Capitol Label Recording
Vee-Jay & Tollie Records Export Edition for Italy
(Update: 25th. December 2017)

The settlement agreement reached between Vee-Jay and Capitol Records did not prohibit Vee-Jay to sell its Beatles records in foreign markets. Jay Lasker began contacting overseas record labels and distributors in late May or early June of 1964. One of the first to reach an agreement with Vee-Jay was Bluebell Records of Milan, Italy.
Bluebell ordered copies of all four f the Vee-Jay and Tollie singles from 1964 at a cost of 36 cent per single. Although Vee-Jay did not prepare special records or picture sleeves, Bluebell Records packaged Vee-Jay's existing inventory in custom picture sleeves for three of the singles. Tollie 9008 was issued by Bluebell with the American picture sleeve.
The VJ 587 was plugged "Thank You Girl" as the A side. Small import duty stickers were affixed to the labels.
(from "The Beatles Records On Vee-Jay")

Go to "Decca Records"

Go to "M.G.M. Records"

Go to "ATCO Records"

Go to "Vee-Jay Records"

Go to "Tollie Records"

Go to "Swan Records"

Go to "United Artists Records"

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Export Edition INDEX

Please Please Me/From Me To You (VJ 581)

Twist And Shout/There's A Place (T 9001)

Do You Want To Know A Secret/Thank You Girl (VJ 587)

Love Me Do/P.S. I Love You (T 9008)

Regular Records

Vee Jay Regular Records

Tollie Regular Records

#1-1 Please Please Me / From Me To You (Export Edition: VJ-581)
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TRACK LISTING	SIDE 1	Please Please Me (J. Lennon-P. McCartbney)
	SIDE 2	From Me To You (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE		February 1964? / First Press / Export Edition for Italy
FRONT --> Click!		BACK --> Click!	SIDE 1 --> Click!	SIDE 2--> Click!	DISK --> Click!

FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
		VJ brackets logo and catalogue number "VJ 581" were printed in black at the right side of the front cover.			Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The first pressings of the record have silver lettering on a black label with an outer rim colorband featuring the oval logo.		Small gray import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The "ARP" pressing has thin silver lettering print on black label with "VJ" before the record number.	SIDE-1	SIDE-2

				The publishing information (on two lines) and running time were printed at the right center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
		The master number and the word "Vocal" are to the left of the center hole.		With the exception of the location of the script "ARP" logo, the trail off area markings.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER		VJ-581
LABEL		Vee Jay Black rainbow with oval logo
MIX		MONO
PRESS FACTORY		The American Record Pressing Co. ("ARP") in Owosso, Michigan
MATRIX No.	SIDE 1	63-2967- RA (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo and script "ARP" (machine stamped)
	SIDE 2	63-3218 RA (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo and script "ARP" (machine stamped)
SLEEVE STYLE		Bluebell Records custom picture sleeve
VINYL COLOR		BLACK
PUBLISHER'S NAME	SIDE 1	Concertone Songs-ASCAP
	SIDE 2	Gil Music Corp-BMI
RUNNING TIME	SIDE 1	2:00
	SIDE 2	1:49
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES		-
COMMENTS		Bluebell records of Italy prepared custom picture sleeves for three of the four Beatles singles it imported from Vee-Jay: VJ 581: Please Please Me / From Me To You Tollie 9001: Twist And Shout / There's A Place VJ 587: Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret Bluebell used the American sleeve for Tollie 9008. The record labels were the same as the American versions, except for the addition of a import duty sticker. Bluebell also prepared custom sleeves for VJ 581 and Tollie 9001. There was no need for a custom Bluebell sleeve for Tollie 9008 because Vee-Jay shipped the record to Bluebell in the single’s American picture sleeve, which served as the basis for its 9001 sleeve. Small “BIEM” stickers were affixed to the labels (examples shown above on top row). BIEM is an international organization representing mechanical rights socities, including Italy’s Societa Italiana degli Autori et Editori, that license the reproduction of songs. Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve. The first pressings of the record have silver lettering on a black label with an outer rim colorband featuring the oval logo. Small gray import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels. Bluebell Records was an Italian independent record label founded in 1959 by Antonio Casetta, active from 1959 to 1969 as part, along with other labels such as Mini Rec and Belldisc, of the Belldisc S.p.A. group. In 1969 these labels were fused into a new one, which became known as Produttori Associati. The label released records by several artists, such as Fabrizio De Andr?, Carmen Villani, The New Dada, Rocco Granata, Maurizio Arcieri and Duilio Del Prete. BIEM (Bureau International des Societes Gerant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mecanique) is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works).

#1-2 Please Please Me / From Me To You (Export Edition / Late Press: VJ-581)
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TRACK LISTING	SIDE 1	Please Please Me (J. Lennon-P. McCartbney)
	SIDE 2	From Me To You (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE		Unknown / Late Press / Export Edition for Italy
FRONT --> Click!		BACK --> Click!	SIDE 1 --> Click!	SIDE 2--> Click!	DISK --> Click!

FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
		VJ brackets logo and catalogue number "VJ 581" were printed in black at the right side of the front cover.			Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The late pressings of the record have silver print on an all black label with the oval logo and "VJ" before the record number.
					The master number and the word "Vocal" are to the left of the center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The "ARP" pressing has thin silver lettering print on black label with "VJ" before the record number.	SIDE-1	SIDE-2

				The publishing information (on two lines) and running time were printed at the right center hole.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER		VJ-581
LABEL		Vee Jay silver print on all black label with oval logo
MIX		MONO
PRESS FACTORY		The American Record Pressing Co. ("ARP") in Owosso, Michigan
MATRIX No.	SIDE 1	63-2967 RA (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo and script "ARP" (machine stamped)
	SIDE 2	63-3218 RA (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo and script "ARP" (machine stamped)
SLEEVE STYLE		Bluebell Records custom picture sleeve
VINYL COLOR		BLACK
PUBLISHER'S NAME	SIDE 1	Concertone Songs-ASCAP
	SIDE 2	Gil Music Corp-BMI
RUNNING TIME	SIDE 1	2:00
	SIDE 2	1:49
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES		-
COMMENTS		Bluebell records of Italy prepared custom picture sleeves for three of the four Beatles singles it imported from Vee-Jay: VJ 581: Please Please Me / From Me To You Tollie 9001: Twist And Shout / There's A Place VJ 587: Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret Bluebell used the American sleeve for Tollie 9008. The record labels were the same as the American versions, except for the addition of a import duty sticker. Bluebell also prepared custom sleeves for VJ 581 and Tollie 9001. There was no need for a custom Bluebell sleeve for Tollie 9008 because Vee-Jay shipped the record to Bluebell in the single’s American picture sleeve, which served as the basis for its 9001 sleeve. Small “BIEM” stickers were affixed to the labels (examples shown above on top row). BIEM is an international organization representing mechanical rights socities, including Italy’s Societa Italiana degli Autori et Editori, that license the reproduction of songs. Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve. The late pressings of the record have silver print on an all black label with the oval logo and “VJ” before the record number. This ARP pressing was made from the same metal parts as the first two Beatles singles. Bluebell Records was an Italian independent record label founded in 1959 by Antonio Casetta, active from 1959 to 1969 as part, along with other labels such as Mini Rec and Belldisc, of the Belldisc S.p.A. group. In 1969 these labels were fused into a new one, which became known as Produttori Associati. The label released records by several artists, such as Fabrizio De Andr?, Carmen Villani, The New Dada, Rocco Granata, Maurizio Arcieri and Duilio Del Prete. BIEM (Bureau International des Societes Gerant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mecanique) is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works).

#2 Twist And Shout / There's A Place (Export Edition / 1st. Press?: T-9001)
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TRACK LISTING	SIDE 1	Twist And Shout (Medley-Russell)
	SIDE 2	There's A Place (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE		1964 / First Press? / Export Edition for Italy
FRONT --> Click!		BACK --> Click!	SIDE 1 --> Click!	SIDE 2--> Click!	DISK --> Click!

FRONT COVER CLOSE UP
					Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			All black print on a yellow label with the name “tollie” appearing in tall, heavy type above the word “RECORDS” inside a clockwise box logo located above the center hole.
					The muster number "63-3194" to the left of the center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The trail off area of the B-side appears to have both the (MR) and "ARP" logos, indicating that this record was probably pressed by ARP with stampers prepared by Monarch.	SIDE-1	SIDE-2

				The publishing information was printed at the right center hole.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER		Tollie-9001
LABEL		Tollie all black print on a yellow label with clockwise box logo
MIX		MONO
PRESS FACTORY		probably pressed by ARP with stampers prepared by Monarch.
MATRIX No.	SIDE 1	63-3194 ?51071X RA (hand etched) (MR) logo (machine stamped)
	SIDE 2	63-3193 ?51071 (hand etched) (MR) logo (machine stamped)
SLEEVE STYLE		Bluebell Records custom picture sleeve
VINYL COLOR		BLACK
PUBLISHER'S NAME	SIDE 1	Robert Mellin Inc., & Progressive Music-BMI
	SIDE 2	Gil Music BMI
RUNNING TIME	SIDE 1	-
	SIDE 2	-
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES		The portrait was derived from the Dezo Hoffmann color photo
COMMENTS		All black print on a yellow label with the name “tollie” appearing in tall, heavy type above the word “RECORDS” inside a clockwise box logo located above the center hole. The trail off area of the B-side appears to have both the (MR) and "ARP" logos, indicating that this record was probably pressed by ARP with stampers prepared by Monarch. Bluebell records of Italy prepared custom picture sleeves for three of the four Beatles singles it imported from Vee-Jay: VJ 581: Please Please Me / From Me To You Tollie 9001: Twist And Shout / There's A Place VJ 587: Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret Bluebell used the American sleeve for Tollie 9008. The record labels were the same as the American versions, except for the addition of a import duty sticker. Bluebell also prepared custom sleeves for VJ 581 and Tollie 9001. There was no need for a custom Bluebell sleeve for Tollie 9008 because Vee-Jay shipped the record to Bluebell in the single’s American picture sleeve, which served as the basis for its 9001 sleeve. Small “BIEM” stickers were affixed to the labels (examples shown above on top row). BIEM is an international organization representing mechanical rights socities, including Italy’s Societa Italiana degli Autori et Editori, that license the reproduction of songs. Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve. The late pressings of the record have silver print on an all black label with the oval logo and “VJ” before the record number. This ARP pressing was made from the same metal parts as the first two Beatles singles. Bluebell Records was an Italian independent record label founded in 1959 by Antonio Casetta, active from 1959 to 1969 as part, along with other labels such as Mini Rec and Belldisc, of the Belldisc S.p.A. group. In 1969 these labels were fused into a new one, which became known as Produttori Associati. The label released records by several artists, such as Fabrizio De Andr?, Carmen Villani, The New Dada, Rocco Granata, Maurizio Arcieri and Duilio Del Prete. BIEM (Bureau International des Societes Gerant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mecanique) is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works).

#3-1 Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret (Export Edition: VJ-587)
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TRACK LISTING	SIDE 1	Thank You Girl (McCartney-Lennon)
	SIDE 2	Do You Want To Know A Secret (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE		May? 1964 / First Press? / Export Edition for Italy
FRONT --> Click!		BACK --> Click!	SIDE 1 --> Click!	SIDE 2--> Click!	DISK --> Click!

FRONT COVER CLOSE UP				LABEL CLOSE UP
			Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve.		Small green import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The first pressings of the record have silver lettering on a black label with an outer rim colorband featuring the brackets logo.	SIDE-1	SIDE-2

				The publishing information (on two lines) was printed at the right center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
				The "ARP" pressing has thin silver lettering print on black label with "VJ" before the record number.
The master number and the word "Vocal" are to the left of the center hole.					With the exception of the location of the script "ARP" logo, the trail off area markings.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER		VJ-587
LABEL		Vee Jay Black rainbow with brackets logo
MIX		MONO
PRESS FACTORY		The American Record Pressing Co. ("ARP") in Owosso, Michigan (maybe)
MATRIX No.	SIDE 1	63-3219 ?51771 URJ (hand etched) (MR) symbol and ARP logo (machine stamped)
	SIDE 2	63-3191 ?51070 (MR) symbol, ARP and Audio Matrix logo (machine stamped)
SLEEVE STYLE		Bluebell Records custom picture sleeve
VINYL COLOR		BLACK
PUBLISHER'S NAME	SIDE 1	Conrad Pub. BMI
	SIDE 2	Metric Music BMI
RUNNING TIME	SIDE 1	-
	SIDE 2	-
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES		features hand-painted faces of the boys
COMMENTS		Bluebell records of Italy prepared custom picture sleeves for three of the four Beatles singles it imported from Vee-Jay: VJ 581: Please Please Me / From Me To You Tollie 9001: Twist And Shout / There's A Place VJ 587: Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret Bluebell used the American sleeve for Tollie 9008. The record labels were the same as the American versions, except for the addition of a import duty sticker. The VJ 587 was plugged "Thank You Girl" as the A side. Picture sleeve features hand-painted faces of the boys on a black background with "THE BEATLES" in white, the record number and Vee-Jay brackets logo in white and the song titles in red and blue. Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve. The first pressings of the record have silver lettering on a black label with an outer rim colorband featuring the brackets logo. Small green import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels. Bluebell Records was an Italian independent record label founded in 1959 by Antonio Casetta, active from 1959 to 1969 as part, along with other labels such as Mini Rec and Belldisc, of the Belldisc S.p.A. group. In 1969 these labels were fused into a new one, which became known as Produttori Associati. The label released records by several artists, such as Fabrizio De Andr?, Carmen Villani, The New Dada, Rocco Granata, Maurizio Arcieri and Duilio Del Prete. BIEM (Bureau International des Societes Gerant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mecanique) is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works).

#3-2 Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret (Export Edition / Second Press?: VJ-587)
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TRACK LISTING	SIDE 1	Thank You Girl (McCartney-Lennon)
	SIDE 2	Do You Want To Know A Secret (McCartney-Lennon)
RELEASE DATE		late? 1965 / Second Press? / Export Edition for Italy
FRONT --> Click!		BACK --> Click!	SIDE 1 --> Click!	SIDE 2--> Click!	DISK --> Click!

FRONT COVER CLOSE UP				LABEL CLOSE UP
			Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve.		Small gray import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels.
LABEL CLOSE UP
			The second(?) pressings of the record have black print on a yellow label with "VEE JAY RECORDS" in small type below large "VJ" letters.	SIDE-1	SIDE-2

				The publishing information (on two lines) was printed at the left center hole.
LABEL CLOSE UP
				Has the title Side-2 on one line in thin upper and lower case print and does not have the word "Vocal" on the label.
The master number and was to the left of the center hole.					It has hand etched master numbers and "RA" and the Audio Matrix stamp in the trail off area.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER		VJ-587
LABEL		Vee Jay Black print on a Yellow Label
MIX		MONO
PRESS FACTORY		Southern Plastics in Nashville, Tennessee
MATRIX No.	SIDE 1	63-3219 RA (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo (machine stamped)
	SIDE 2	63-3191 URJ (hand etched) Audio Matrix logo (machine stamped)
SLEEVE STYLE		Bluebell Records custom picture sleeve
VINYL COLOR		BLACK
PUBLISHER'S NAME	SIDE 1	Conrad Pub. B.M.I.
	SIDE 2	Metric Music Co. B.M.I.
RUNNING TIME	SIDE 1	-
	SIDE 2	-
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES		features hand-painted faces of the boys
COMMENTS		Bluebell records of Italy prepared custom picture sleeves for three of the four Beatles singles it imported from Vee-Jay: VJ 581: Please Please Me / From Me To You Tollie 9001: Twist And Shout / There's A Place VJ 587: Thank You Girl / Do You Want To Know A Secret Bluebell used the American sleeve for Tollie 9008. The record labels were the same as the American versions, except for the addition of a import duty sticker. The VJ 587 was plugged "Thank You Girl" as the A side. Picture sleeve features hand-painted faces of the boys on a black background with "THE BEATLES" in white, the record number and Vee-Jay brackets logo in white and the song titles in red and blue. Bluebell Records logo mark and the words "Disk imported from the U.S.A." were printed on the custom picture sleeve. The second(?) pressings of the record have black print on a yellow label with "VEE JAY RECORDS" in small type below large "VJ" letters. Small gray import duty stickers (the word "BIEM" was printed) were affixed to the labels. Bluebell Records was an Italian independent record label founded in 1959 by Antonio Casetta, active from 1959 to 1969 as part, along with other labels such as Mini Rec and Belldisc, of the Belldisc S.p.A. group. In 1969 these labels were fused into a new one, which became known as Produttori Associati. The label released records by several artists, such as Fabrizio De Andr?, Carmen Villani, The New Dada, Rocco Granata, Maurizio Arcieri and Duilio Del Prete. BIEM (Bureau International des Societes Gerant les Droits d'Enregistrement et de Reproduction Mecanique) is the international organisation representing mechanical rights societies. Mechanical rights societies exist in most countries. They license the reproduction of songs (including musical, literary and dramatic works).