Barclay

Multinational label of French origin; also appears as "Barclay Disques". Label code: LC 0126 / LC 00126.
See Barclay S.A., Barclay-Disques and Disques Barclay for related company credits.

Notes:
Barclay catalogue numbers are often preceded by "N°", do not add this.
The numbers "BLY XXXXX" as matrix numbers, please add them as such.
The numbers "BA XXX" are price codes as should be added as such.

History:
In February 1945 Eddie Barclay and his wife Nicole founded the label Blue Star in Paris. In 1948 the firm changed its name to Productions Phonographiques Françaises (PPF); in January 1953 PPF became Compagnie Phonographique Française (also known as C.P.F. Barclay), eventually giving birth to the label Barclay in 1954, releasing mainly chanson, pop and jazz.

Barclay became one of the major players in the record industry, also as a publisher, distributor and manufacturer. In 1956 Studios Barclay was founded, which remained active until 1980. Barclay did not have an own vinyl pressing plant, relying mainly on MPO and Cidis throughout the 1970s. It represented major US labels in France such as Atlantic, Jubilee, Prestige, Mercury, Verve Records or Buddah Records.

In 1978, Eddie Barclay sold 80% of his company to the PolyGram group. Five years later, PolyGram acquired the last 20% and Eddie Barclay left the company to set up a new one: Eddie Barclay. The brand is currently owned by Universal Music France.

International:
- Belgium: between 1959-1964 represented by Fonior, who manufactured locally. In 1964 local branch Barclay Belgium was founded.
- Czechoslovakia: represented by Supraphon since 1965, in return Barclay became French representant of Supraphon a year later.
- Netherlands: initially represented by Artone Holland, who manufactured locally. Between 1961-1964 represented by Dureco, who issued discs made in Belgium by its sister company Fonior. Local branch Barclay Nederland N.V. (succeeded by Barclay Nederland B.V.) was founded in 1964.

Label chronology:

French singles
Until June/July 1960:
- Yellow + theater masks labels: Chanson / Vocal | Catalog number pattern: 60xxx
- Green + dancing couples labels: Danse (3) | Catalog number pattern: 62xxx

Changes in 1961:
- Vertical black/yellow labels for catalog numbers 60216-62109
- Horizontal black/yellow labels for catalog numbers 60269-62123
- Orange labels for catalog numbers 60294-62141

BIEM colors/forms:
- Grey / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 60121-62069 (1954-1958)
- Red / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 60215-62108 (1958-1960)
- Red / unboxed for catalog numbers 60293-62135 (1960-1961)
- Black / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 60361-62144 (1961-1963)
- Black / circled for catalog numbers 60727-62214 (1963-1966)
- Black / boxed (rectangle) after 1966

- Catalog number pattern 60xxx has also been used for Canadian singles in the 70s.
- Catalog number pattern 62xxx has been reassigned to French singles since 1973 (62001).

French EPs:
Until June/July 1960:
- Yellow + theater masks labels: Chanson / Vocal | Catalog number pattern: 70xxx // North African: 76xxx
- Green + dancing couples labels: Danse (3) | Catalog number pattern: 72xxx
- Grey + trumpet labels: Jazz (15) | Catalog number pattern: 74xxx

Change in 1961:
- Orange labels from 70324, 72384, 74035

BIEM colors/forms:
- Grey / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 70181-72243 (1954-1958)
- Red / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 70324-72408 (1958-1960)
- Black / boxed (square) for catalog numbers 70633-72620 (1960-1964)
- Black / circled for catalog numbers 70954-72711 (1964-1966)
- Black / boxed (rectangle) after 1966

Catalog number patterns 72xxx & 74xxx have been reassigned to Turkish singles since 1972 (72251-74250).