[78-L] Capital Series

[Steven C. Barr]

---- Original Message ----- 
From: "agp" <agp2176 at verizon.net>
> Is there any available research on variations of the Capital label? 
> Not so much label style, but series, like Columbia Masterworks.
> I know that there was a Capital Criterion series as well as the 
> Capital Americana series -- with a red label in the 40000 number 
> range. I also have a red label in that number series that doesn't say 
> Americana -- 40114: Deck of Cards/ Rounded Up in Glory by Tex Ritter, 
> but I assume that Capital kept the numbering a label colour and 
> de-emphasised the series.
> So, what was the purpose of this series and the Criterion series. 
> What others were there in the 78 rpm era
> 
CapitOl's numbering was VERY complicated...!

Their numbering started c.1942 at (IIRC) 200; around 1948 these acquired
a "57-" prefix (their new 75-cent price, reversed). This was followed by a
new series in the 15000's; after about 400+ issues they reverted to the
original numbering system, which they used through at least early 1959
(when they phased out 78's...!). Records in album sets were numbered in
different series, like 20###!

The 40### "Americana" records were their C&W issues in the late forties.
There was also a "race" series, which I can't immediately recall...and they
also issued a "greatest hits" series (16###?).

It is all detailed in my DG...!

Steven C. Barr