Columbia label designs

Below are all known UK label designs for Columbia catalogue sequences that included classical repertoire between the end of WW2 and the end of 1959. All sequences are mono, unless stated. All sequences concentrated singly on classical music, unless stated (at least, I'm not yet sure about the DX/DB series yet).

78s

The pre-war LX example shown below was still on catalogue in the 1950s.

Light Blue Series 12" (LX prefix; 10" LB label design is identical)

Dark Blue Series 12" (LX prefix; 10" DB label design is identical)

LPs

The Green label design was also used on popular music sequences. With stereo labels, the second letter of the prefix matches those of the Blue and Green mono sequences. All other stereo sequences with classical repertoire (SBO and SCX) have the same label design, though some backgrounds look whiter and some look greener.

Blue Label series 12" (33CX prefix; 10" 33C prefix label is identical)

Green Label series 12" (33SX prefix; 10" 33S prefix label is identical)

Light blue/green & Silver stereo label (SAX 12" series; see notes above)

7" SPs (Short Play)

The SP format, now better known as 'singles', was confusingly originally viewed as a Long Play format (i.e. stacked on an autochanger record player, as per earlier 78 'albums'). The first releases, all from EMI, had a large centre hole as per the original US RCA Victor format, for playing on early 45 rpm players with large spindles.

Light Blue Label series (SCB prefix; large spindle hole)

Light Blue Label series (SCB prefix; push-out centre)

Dark Blue Label series (SCD prefix; large spindle hole)

Dark Blue Label series (SCD prefix; push-out centre)

Dark Blue Label series (SCD prefix; push-out centre, later silver text)

EPs

The SEG Green Label sequence was a popular music sequence, though there were no completely classical releases during the period covered, hence its exclusion below. Yes, there are lots of releases by Felix Mendelssohn, except that this is the other Felix Mendelssohn - i.e. Felix Mendelssohn and His Hawaiian Serenaders.

Light Blue Label series (SEL prefix)

Dark Blue Label series (SED prefix)

Black Label series (SEB prefix)

Light Blue Label series stereo EP (ESL prefix)

Dark Blue Label series stereo EP (ESD prefix)