1965
LUCKY SEVEN * THE SKATALITES * ISLAND 244 * GB

 As a claim, or proof, of ownership it was common practice in Great Britain during the 1960s for the owner to put his or her initial or name on a 45, often several times on one disc. Other methods were often a mark or more elaborate device in the form of an emblem that would act as a cipher. There are also dedications, and other, sometimes lengthy, annotations, to be found on record labels and their sleeves. Yet others would have an image, often a face; I think this particular form of intervention was not so much a claim to ownership, as a celebration.  The practice of marking 45s was not so common during the 1950s, which could be due in part to the relative cost of a record (they were seen as more valuable items, and therefore less prone to what might be seen as damage) and also, partly due to the nature of the label, in the 1950s record labels tended to be darker in tone with a more official look, they also tended to have less empty space, being more concerned with information of one sort or another. By the 1970s the trend of marking 45s had all but died out, 45 labels had switched to a more pictorial design, and it is possible that the thought of making any sort of mark on this might interfere with the overall look. Also the value of a single record, relative to the 60s, had dropped significantly so that it is possible people never felt the need to be so possessive about such a cheep and common object; added to this the rise in the importance of the LP market would also have to be taken into account. This record once belonged Pam, quite probably Pam Harris.


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