Barclay

Multinational label of French origin; also appears as “[i]Barclay Disques[/i]”. Label code: LC 0126 / LC 00126.
See [l=Barclay S.A.], [l885386] and [l635373] 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 [l126855] in Paris. In 1948 the firm changed its name to Productions Phonographiques Françaises (PPF); in January 1953 PPF became [l332319] (also known as [l277858]), 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 [l288912] was founded, which remained active until 1980. Barclay did not have an own vinyl pressing plant, relying mainly on [l=MPO] and [l=C.I.D.I.S.] throughout the 1970s. It represented major US labels in France such as [l681], [l46437], [l19591], [l39357], [l5041] or [l12217].

In 1978, Eddie Barclay sold 80% of his company to the [l=PolyGram] group. Five years later, PolyGram acquired the last 20% and Eddie Barclay left the company to set up a new one: [l74903]. The brand is currently owned by [l=Universal Music France].

International:
– Belgium: between 1959-1964 represented by [l=Fonior], who manufactured locally. In 1964 local branch [l769118] was founded.
– Czechoslovakia: represented by [l=Supraphon] since 1965, in return Barclay became French representant of Supraphon a year later.
– Netherlands: initially represented by [l=Artone Holland], who manufactured locally. Between 1961-1964 represented by [l=Dureco], who issued discs made in Belgium by its sister company Fonior. Local branch [l=Barclay Nederland N.V.] (succeeded by [l=Barclay Nederland B.V.]) was founded in 1964.

Label chronology:

[u]French singles[/u]
Until June/July 1960:
– Yellow + theater masks labels: Chanson / Vocal | Catalog number pattern: 60xxx
– Green + dancing couples labels: [l=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).

[u]French EPs[/u]:
Until June/July 1960:
– Yellow + theater masks labels: Chanson / Vocal | Catalog number pattern: 70xxx // North African: 76xxx
– Green + dancing couples labels: [l=Danse (3)] | Catalog number pattern: 72xxx
– Grey + trumpet labels: [l=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).