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Parlophone Original Released
10. Help! / I'm Down (R 5305)
(Update: 23th. April 2023)
ticket
Black Parlophone Label

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

#10-1 Help! / I'm Down (Factory Sample: R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 Factory Sample (First Press: 23th July. 1965)
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ticket ticket disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.

The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
label label
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Push-out center, tax code is "K, T"
With a "FACTORY SAMPLE" sticker on the label of side-1.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. The words "from film of same name" was printed on the Side-1.
SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
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 Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
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
 This genuine EMI Factory Sample copy of 'Help!'/'I'm Down' was sent to BBC broadcaster / DJ Geoffrey Wheeler as a promo just prior to the disc's release in July 1965.

No red & white demos of this 45 were produced so this early copy is on the black & silver Parlophone label: R 5305

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.

On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a Subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. The new label didn't actually come into use until October 1965 but EMI continued to use up the old Parlophone labels, which explains why first pressings of "Help!" and "We Can Work It Out" still feature labels with the "Parlophone" rims.

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...", and the "(P) 1965" statement.


#10-2 Help! / I'm Down (1st. Press "Black Parlophone Label / THE PARLOPHONE rim": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 23th July. 1965/First Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ticket ticket disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.

The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Push-out center,
tax code is "K, T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. The words "from film of same name" was printed on the Side-1. The "T" in "MADE IN GT BRITAIN" text is capital letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
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 Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-3A :Wavy cut at top.
"TRADE MARK OF THE PARLOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on front.
"BIG M" advert on back, without "Write for free sample" credit.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
 On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a Subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. The new label didn't actually come into use until October 1965 but EMI continued to use up the old Parlophone labels, which explains why first pressings of "Help!" and "We Can Work It Out" still feature labels with the "Parlophone" rims.

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...", and the "(P) 1965" statement.


#10-3 Help! / I'm Down (2nd. Press "Black Parlophone Label / THE GRAMOPHONE rim": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1965? / Second Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ticket ticket disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "THE GRAMOPHONE. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label. 		label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Push-out center,
tax code is "K, T"
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label label label
This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. The words "from film of same name" was printed on the Side-1. The "T" in "MADE IN GT BRITAIN" text is capital letter. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-4 :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
 On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a Subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. The new label didn't actually come into use until October 1965 but EMI continued to use up the old Parlophone labels, which explains why first pressings of "Help!" and "We Can Work It Out" still feature labels with the "Parlophone" rims.

The second label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1965" statement.


#10-4 Help! / I'm Down (3rd. Press? "Black Parlophone Label / THE PARLOPHONE rim / Solid Center": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1967?/Third Press?
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2 --> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE from from disk
COMPANY SLEEVE CLOSE UP
label label label
label Green company sleeve: Wavy cut at top.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label The Parlophone logo mark is small type.

"The Parlophone Co. Ltd. (small letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Solid center. Tax code is "K,T".

Has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits.

The "(P) 1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1
 SIDE 2
 The words "from film of same name" was printed on the Side-1.

The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter.
label label
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Matrix suffixed with "-2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2 MOTHER & STAMPER
 10 / RMT
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2 3 / DRG
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 Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-4 :Wavy cut at top.
EMI logo was added in rectangular box on front.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
 On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a Subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. The new label didn't actually come into use until October 1965 but EMI continued to use up the old Parlophone labels, which explains why first pressings of "Help!" and "We Can Work It Out" still feature labels with the "Parlophone" rims.

Black label with silver print. The publishing year was printed on the label, as (p) 1965. The beginning of the perimeter print was erroneous written PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. and with SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS, SEE PRICE LISTS text. Solid center only. Matrix numbers: Side A: 7XCE 18280-2; Side B: 7XCE 18281-2.


#10-5 Help! / I'm Down (Crossover Press "Black Parlophone Label / THE GRAMOPHONE/PARLOPHONE rim / Solid Center": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1967?/Third Press?
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE ticket label disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 SIDE-1: "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
SIDE-2: "THE PARLOPHONE" rim.
The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label. 		CENTER
label label label It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
Solid center,
tax code is none.
LABEL CLOSE UP
SIDE 1 SIDE 2 This label type has the "NCB" credit under the "NORTHERN SONGS" credits. SIDE 1 SIDE 2
label label label label
Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 SIDE 1 THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
SIDE 2 THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
 Solid center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
 On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a Subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. The new label didn't actually come into use until October 1965 but EMI continued to use up the old Parlophone labels, which explains why first pressings of "Help!" and "We Can Work It Out" still feature labels with the "Parlophone" rims.

The first label was with capitalized printing of "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It was manufactured the solid center.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1965" statement.


#10-6 Help! / I'm Down (Decca Contract Press "Black Parlophone Label / THE GRAMOPHONE rim": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1966?/Decca Contract Press
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE label label disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label Decca contract pressing, these are its distinguishing characteristics.
1:There is no tax code is evident in the push-out center on either side of the disc.
2:The ridge is approximately 10mm in from the center hole.
3:The ring is approximately 1mm in from the edge and 2mm out from the ridge.
4:The gap between the push-out center and the body of the disc is approximately 1.5mm
5: There are no stamper letters to be found at the 3 o'clock position.
(According to "TheBeatlesCollection")
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label.		 label label
#10-1 #10-5 (this record)
Printing type is different.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The "T" in "MADE IN GT BRITAIN" text is capital letter. label label Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type)
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 YES
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-5C : Wavy cut at top.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "6'- to 50'-" tokens on front. "Fran The Fan, Dear Miss Brown" in her latest episode advert on back.
Glued left and right.
COMMENTS
 The second label was with capitalized printing of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter, and a smaller Parlophone logo.
It has the central remark "SOLD IN UK...", and the "(P) 1965" statement.

It has been said that EMI had to ask some other company (ex. Decca) to press this single.
Originally it was thought that this was a Decca pressing, but on closer inspection the small indented ring between the ridge and the edge of the push-out center was much further away from the edge than on a Decca pressing; almost centralised.

--> According to "select45rpm.com > UK vinyl Info > Beatles Contracts"
This is a Decca Contract press.
Confirmed 14th. Oct. 2008 There is an alternate & Previously unknown Decca press of a Beatles 45 we've been able to positively identify & found a regular Decca issue to match it with. We sold it on ebay on 10th. Nov. 2008 so we can now give the facts here & prove it's our exclusive, so parasites beware! THIS IS A DECCA PRESSING. This unusual sort of cut-out center actually appeared first in 1960 with the round center Decca pressings & has been spotted up to 1967 and as with anything, look for this type on usual Decca 45s & you'll find plenty. The vinyl is the same as a regular Decca press, it's just the center cut-outs that have confused some. See our main Decca & London listings for many regular ones to compare to. Remember there are no Contract Pressings of any Decca product.


#10-7 Help! / I'm Down (4th. Press? "Black Parlophone Label / THE PARLOPHONE rim / without SOLD IN U.K. / Polo Ring": R 5305)
 Back to the top of the line
TRACK LISTING
 SIDE 1 Help! (from film of same name) (Lennon-McCartney)
SIDE 2 I'm Down (Lennon-McCartney)
RELEASE DATE
 1972? / 4th. Press?
SLEEVE:FRONT SLEEVE:BACK SIDE 1 --> Click! SIDE 2--> Click! DISK--> Click!
sleeve SLEEVE label label disk
LABEL CLOSE UP
label label label "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)" was printed at the perimeter.
The "(P)-1965" statement was printed at the left part of the label.
With the push-out center and was removed the central remark "SOLD IN UK..."
The embossed letter (tax code) is none.
With Polo ring.
LABEL CLOSE UP
label The "T" in "MADE IN GT. BRITAIN" text is capital letter. label label Matrix suffixed with "2" on both side.
OTHER ITEM
-

CATALOG NUMBER
 R 5305
LABEL
 Silver Parlophone (logo: small type) / Polo ring
MIX
 Mono
MATRIX No. SIDE 1 7XCE 18280 - 2
SIDE 2 7XCE 18281 - 2
VINYL COLOR
 BLACK
RECORD COMPANY'S NAME
 SIDE 1 THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
SIDE 2 THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD. (capital letter)
CENTER
 Push-out center
CENTRAL REMARK
"SOLD IN U.K..."
 -
RECORDING PUBLISHED CREDIT Ⓟ 1965 (Small Ⓟ)
PUBLISHER'S NAME
SIDE 1
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
SIDE 2
 NORTHERN SONGS NCB
PRODUCER
 George Martin
COVER DESIGN/ PHOTO/ NOTES
 Green sleeve type-9B : Tab cut at top. Glued bottom and right.
"TRADE MARK OF THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD." below the Parlophone logo on front. "EMI LPs" advert on back, issued in which advertised the latest EMI albums, including the Beatles own "SGT. Peppers". 
COMMENTS
 This label is with push-out center type.
The "Sold in U.K." text has gone from the label.
Beginning in 1964, Parlophone (and all the other EMI companies) began printing a phrase in the centers of all their singles, EP's and LP's, which said:

SOLD IN U.K. SUBJECT TO
RESALE PRICE CONDITIONS,
SEE PRICE LISTS.

This notice appears on the labels of every UK market EMI product, from very early 1964, right through mid-1969.
On 1st July 1965, EMI underwent a merger and each individual ceased to be a L.T.D. company and became a subsidiary of "The Gramophone Co. Ltd." which was owned by EMI. This merger meant yet another label change occurred and previous "Parlophone Co. Ltd." rims where replaced with the new "Gramophone" rims. But this label was printed "THE PARLOPHONE CO. LTD." at the perimeter.(miss label ?)

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.


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