Multinational record label established in 1913. Today under ownership by the Universal Music Group.

Please note: PolyGram 7 numeral catalogue numbers were introduced in April 1970 - any earlier release with such a number is a reissue after that date.
This catalogue numbering system was replaced a with a new system, initiated in August 1982, which was tied to the barcode/EAN. It had six digits followed by a single number suffix denoting the format, usually xxxxxx-x. In the US this was often prefixed by a 3 digit code denoting a company division, so xxx xxxxxx-x, and sometimes a further 1 letter suffix (for example 422 822104-1Y). These new numbers were not seen until early 1983 when compact discs were first released to the public outside Japan.

Words such as Deluxe, Super, Special and Select are not part of the catalogue number - these are price codes and can be entered as identifiers.

For all unofficial releases (bootlegs, counterfeits, pirate compilations ...) that pretend to be Polydor releases, please use Polydor (2).

Timeline
2 April 1913: Establishment of Polydor as brand by German Polyphonwerke A.-G., based in Leipzig.
25 July 1914: The brand is registered as trademark by the Imperial Patent Office Berlin (No. 316613).
1924: Polydor is established as export label for Polyphon Record products to be marketed outside of Germany.
1927: Establishment of Société Phonographique Française Polydor S.A. in Paris, France, by the Danish and Swedish subsidiaries of Polyphonwerke A.-G.
1932: Polyphonwerke A.-G. takes over the liquidated Deutsche Grammophon-Aktiengesellschaft and continues under this name.
1941: After the takeover of Deutsche Grammophon by Siemens & Halske, the shellacs temporarily also appear under the label Siemens Polydor.
1946: Post-war production is resumed and Polydor becomes the popular music arm. Classical music is separated to Deutsche Grammophon.
1949: Introduction of the red logo with golden stars and golden Polydor.
1953: Introduction of the orange logo with golden stars and Polydor within white background.
1954: Establishment of Polydor Records Ltd. in the UK.
1963: Introduction of the red logo with half black disc and white Polydor. With slight alterations still in use today.
1969: Polydor enters the US market.
1972: Philips and Deutsche Grammophon form PolyGram and Polydor becomes part of Polydor International.
1991: Polydor becomes part of the PolyGram Label Group.
1998: Seagram acquires PolyGram and merges it into Universal Music Group.
2003: The German division is merged with Island Records Germany to Polydor Island Group.
2005: The Polydor Island Group is merged into Universal Music Domestic Division.

Label code: LC 0309 / LC 00309